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ST. HELENA 



THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE : 

OB, 

INCIDENTS IN THE MISSIONAHY LIFE 



REV. JAMES M'GREGOR BERTRAM, 

OF ST. HEIiENA. 



BY REV. EDWIN F. ^HATFIELD, D.D., 

PASTOR OP THR SEVENTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE CITY OP 
NEW YORK. 



WBltff an J^ntrotruction, 
BY REV. GEORGE B. CHEEVER, D.D., 

PASTOB OF THE CHURCH OF THE PURITANS, NEW YORK. 



■^ NEW YORK: 
PUBLISHED BY EDWARD H. FLETCHER, 

141 NASSAU STREET. 

1852. 






Entered, according to act of Congress, in the year 1852, by 

EDWARD H. FLETCHER, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the 

Southern District of New York. 



N. Y. STEJIEOIIPE ASSOCIATION, 

2Di William-Street. 



I 



TO THE 

FRIENDS OF MISSIONS, 

OF VARIOUS EVANGELICAL CHURCHES IN THE UNITED 
STATES, WHO HAVE SO NOBLY RESPONDED TO 

MR. Bertram's appeals, 

AND so generously CONTRIBUTED TO THE ERECTION 
OF CHURCHES ON 

"Srije asvoclt of tjc ©cean, 

THIS HUMBLE MEMOIR IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED BY 

THE AUTHOR. 



i 



PREFACE. 

To those who have heard, from the 
lips of the Rev. Jajmes M'Geegor Bee- 
team, of St. Helena, the particulars of his 
missionary experience at Table and Sal- 
danha Bays, in the South of Africa, and on 
the Island of St. Helena, no apology need 
be offered for the publication of this 
memoir. It has been written, in compli- 
ance with frequent and pressing solicita- 
tions on the part of many of his hearers, 
who regard his statements as worthy of 
more than the fleeting publicity of a pul- 
pit address, and who desire some lasting 
memorial of a visit, which they will ever 
remember with pleasure. 



11 PREFACE. 

]\Ir. Bertram came to tliis country in the 
year 1850, landing at Boston on the 10th 
of Jnly, and has visited numerous places in 
the New England States, New York, New 
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and else- 
where, in the prosecution of his work of 
benevolence. Six thousand dollars were 
wanted for the erection of two mission 
chapels, and the removal of a mortgage 
upon another, in the Island of St. Helena, 
in addition to what had been contributed 
by the friends of the Grospel on the Island, 
and at the Cape of Good Hope. Wher- 
ever he has gone, and addressed the peo- 
ple in this behalf, he has met with a ready 
response, and found a goodly company of 
cheerful givers. In a few more days he 
hopes to have received the substantial aid, 
to obtain which he sought these shores, 
and to set sail, fall of gratitude to God 
and his large-hearted friends in America, 
for his far-off home in the sea-a'u^t isle. 



PREFACE. lU 

where the illustrious Corsican rested from 
Ms brilliant career of conquests, and end- 
ed his days in inglorious exile. 

The sketches here presented have been 
derived, for the most part, from the pub- 
lic addresses of Mr. Bertram, and from 
publications and statements that he has 
kindly put into the possession of 

The Editoe. 

New York, May IQth, 1852. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The spectacle of Divine Power in action is always 
sublime. It is a glorious sight when you look upon 
the waters of Niagara, and listen to the roar of its 
thunders ; or upon the fall of an Alpine avalanche, 
as of a mountain from the sky. It is glorious to see 
the sun rise and set, sublime to see the ocean in a 
storm, or a volcano in action ; still more, to gaze 
upon the planets in the firmament of heaven, and 
think of that Infinite Power that keeps them silently 
rolling in the depths of space, in such countless num- 
bers, yet in such order, harmony, and beauty. But 
more glorious by far is the spectacle of Divine power 
and grace in the regeneration of congregated souls. 
To see a nation, a whole nation, in a space of time 
only one third the span of human life, one third the 
span given to the development of individual charac- 
ter, taken from the deepest depths of heathenism, 
raised up from the unutterable abominations of the 
most despotic idolatry, from the beastliness of habits 
of pollution, sanctioned and enforced by the rites of 
superstition, and to see that nation so changed in that 
short space of time as to possess and put on all the 



VI INTRODUCTION. 

characteristics of Christian purity and refinement; 
this is a manifestation of Almighty power more 
wondrous than the creation of a world ! It is, in- 
deed, the standing and startling miracle of modern 
times — a miracle of wisdom, omnipotence, and love. 
It shows what the gospel of Christ and the grace of 
God can do. 

This glorious miracle of Divine power and grace 
has been witnessed in the Sandwich Islands ; and, 
adorning the same age, and fit to- be set in the same 
record, though on a smaller scale, is the miracle of 
God's power and mercy, of which some account is 
given in this volume, wrought, or begun to be wrought, 
in the Island of St. Helena. Truly, the island proph- 
ecies in the Word of God are coming out into great 
light and majesty. They are as morning stars of 
fulfillment before the Great Sun of Righteousness 
pours His beams on all the nations. 

And these prophecies are fulfilled in so extraordi- 
nary a mamier, as to reveal with great clearness and 
power the mamier in which the Lord Jesus causes 
His strength to be perfected and glorified in human 
weakness, when there is only a simple and strong 
faith hi Him. These records of transactions in the 
island world, that may have caused greater wonder 
and joy in heaven than all the transactions in the 



INTRODUCTION. Vll 

same space of time elsewhere evolved on our globe, 
show the sublimity of faith, and the important part 
it must ever bear, in subduing a fallen world to Christ 
Jesus. It is faith in God, on man's part, whereby He 
will accomplish His purposes ; or, rather, this faith 
in God, and the heavenly courage produced by it, 
giving glory to Him, constitute the disposition, in 
behalf of which, and in the exercise of which, God 
can, with justice to Himself and lasting good to His 
creatures, make bare the arm of His power, and lead 
His children to victory. They shall have the victory 
when their heart is fixed on Him, and their eye sin- 
gle to His glory. For God will make His people 
and the world understand and feel that great princi- 
ple of holiness and glory, of victory and success, not 
hy might nor hy power^ hut hy the Spirit of the Lord 
of Hosts. 

When that is understood and acted upon — when 
God's people rely boldly and only upon Him, then 
one of them can chase a thousand, and two put ten 
thousand to flight. Let them go forth, armed with 
God^s Word, fervent in prayer, relying on the Holy 
Spirit, crying out with the good King Asa, " Lord 
God, this cause is not ours, but thine, and these ene- 
mies are not ours, but thine; let not man prevail 
Against Thee !" and then shall the hosts of darkness 



VIU INTRODUCTION. 

be scattered, and the Church of God shall shine forth 
fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an 
army with bamiers. But let them not be afraid of 
God's Word, nor of the application of it, for it is by 
that alone that error and iniquity can be conquered ; 
for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but 
spiritual, and mighty, through God, to the pulling 
down of strong-holds. " Hearken unto me, ye that 
know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my 
law. Fear ye not the reproach. of men, neither be 
ye afraid of their revilings. For the moth shall eat 
them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them 
like wool ; but my righteousness shall be forever, and 
my salvation from generation to generation." " Who 
art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of a man that 
shall die, and of the son of man, which shall be 
made as grass, and forgettest the Lord thy maker, 
that hath stretched forth the heavens and laid the 
foundations of the earth, and hast feared continually 
eveiy day, because of the fury of the oppressor, as 
if he were ready to destroy ; and where is the fluy 
of the oppressor 1 I sun. the Lord thy God, that di- 
vided' the sea, whose waves roared. And I have put 
my words in thy mouth, and have covered thee in 
the shadow of my hand, that I may plant the heav- 
ens and lay the foundations of the earth, and say 



INTRODUCTION. IX 

unto Zion, Thou art my people !" Yes ! for this it is 
that God hath given His Word, and covers His peo- 
ple while they proclaim it, that the world may be con 
vinced of sin, and conquered by it, and a church built 
up, who are the people of the living God — the reveal- 
ers and partakers of His righteousness. Therefore, 
let His people be faithful with His Word ; let them 
trust in it, and in God who gave it, and let them never 
be afraid of it. There is nothing lost by faithfulness ; 
there is every thing gained by boldness. 

We think this is strikingly manifested in this rec- 
ord of the work of God in St. Helena. God prepared 
His instrument in that work by faith ; childlike, sim- 
ple, unquestioning, unhesitating, God impelled him 
forth, and God went with him. It really reminds us 
— this spiritual conquest in that rocky, sea-girt isle — 
of the expedition — apparently wild and romantic, 
and the success and the victory, manifestly from 
God, as the impulse was from His Spirit — of Jon- 
athan, when he went alone to the garrison of the 
Philistines. " And Jonathan said to the young man 
that bare his armor. Come, and let us go over unto 
the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that 
the Lord will work for us. For there is no restraint 
to the Lord, to save by many or by few." 

How admirable ! How worthy of all imitation 



X INTRODUCTION. 

and praise ! This was not the native courage of the 
warrior only, but the fearlessness of the Christian, 
relying on his God. It may be that the Lord will 
worTc for us. How humble, simple, childlike, and 
beautiful is his faith ! He does not pretend to cer- 
tainty, does not profess to have met God in a 
dream, or to have had any special revelation from 
Him, as the ground of his confidence, or any assur- 
ance that he should be successful in the present case. 
But the effort was worth making, and it might be 
that God would give it success ; at any rate, they 
were not to sit still, and venture nothing. Some- 
thing was worth hazarding in the cause of God, and 
if they never attempted any thing without being first 
sure of success, they never would gain any thing. 
Jonathan was willing to leave the event with God ; 
and, trusting in God, his conduct was boldness, but 
not rashness. 

Boldness in the cause of God is prudence. If the 
path of any enterprise be the path of duty, then dis- 
miss your fears, and go forward, leaving the result 
with God. You need ask for nothing more than this 
young Christian warrior's humble confidence and wil- 
lingness. It may he that the Lord will work for us. 
Suppose He should not, what then 1 Is the doubt or 
the fear that He will not, a good ground for relinquish- 



INTRODUCTION. XI 

iiig an effort, where you maj accomplish great things 
for God 1 Does the fear that God will not work for 
you, release you from the obligation of working for 
Him 1 You must be willing to work on a may-be. 
Positive assurance of success is not to be demanded ; 
and if men wait for that, they will do nothing, un- 
dertake nothing. Enterprises begun in faith are most 
successful. It is right to count the cost, but, after 
all, you must throw yourself on God ; and the fear 
of the cost of a possible failure ought not to hold 
you back from a possible success. It may be. If 
you do not undertake it, it certainly will not be. 
God will not work for you, if you do not give Him 
opportunity ; but if you do, He may. If you hazard 
nothing, for fear that He will not work, you are a 
great coward, and it is a very selfish plan that you 
go upon. Jonathan committed himself to the Lord's 
cause, quite regardless of his own interests. It was 
truly a sublime sight to see him cast himself on God, 
and go forth on such a desperate undertaking, quite 
willing to meet all the hazard, quite forgetful of self, 
and ready to make any sacrifice, for the sake of ac- 
complishing, possibly, a great thing for his country, 
by God's help. It may be that God ivill work for 
us; we will go, at any rate. If He does work for 
us, we shall do a great work ; we will not let the 



XU INTRODUCTION. 

possibility of His not working enter into our calcu- 
lation. 

Now, that was not only true courage, but true wis- 
dom, as genuine courage always is. It was a true 
missionary spirit. It was just in this way that our 
devoted missionaries to the Sandwich Islands and to 
India went forth first, against such incalculable odds, 
with nothing but God to rely upon. It may he that 
God will work for us. The supposition that He will 
not, shall not enter into our calc:ulation. But even 
if He does not, the effort is for Him, and cannot be 
lost. Fruitless it may be, but lost, or disregarded, 
or forgotten of God, it cannot be. It will be precious 
in His sight, it will meet His approbation. Even 
supposing that we die in the midst of it, is it not a 
death for God? Do we not give ourselves up to 
Him? The path of duty is the path of safety, 
though death itself stood in the way ; but in a battle, 
the boldest are the safest, and they are the most like- 
ly to come off uninjured. 

This was a true revival spirit — an example of what 
may be done, even by one man, with great faith, in 
a time of insensibility and lukewarmness. It may 
he. There was no beginning of a revival of courage 
or of piety in the army ; there were no extraordinary 
signs. The beginning of the work was in Jonathan's 



INTRODUCTION. XlU 

own heart: all things externally looked discourag- 
ing. But Jonathan said, It may he. Who knows ? 
There is this great work to be accomplished, and per- 
haps God will use us to accomplish it. Indeed, we 
are only two or three, but that is nothing against the 
enterprise, if God be with us. It may he that the 
Lord will work for us, for there is no restraint to the 
Lord, to save hy many or hy few. It was a mode of 
argument taught by the Spirit of God ; it was a di- 
vine inspiration in Jonathan's soul — the inspiration 
of faith, a strong sense of the presence and power 
of God, an entire reliance upon Him, and a most 
sincere and fervent desire for God's glory. 

These are the graces that indicate and prove an 
appointed work fi'om God. In moving under these 
impulses, Jonathan could hardly be presumptuous, 
or in danger of mistake as to the path of duty. In- 
deed, the path of duty was clear, and the only ques- 
tion was, would Jonathan do right to venture upon 
it so entirely alone, and without human assistance 1 
But Jonathan knew that whether with or without hu- 
man assistance, except by the blessing of God, he 
could do nothing; and he also knew that the less 
there was of man, the more sometimes there was of 
God. Just so David felt when he went against Go- 
liah. It was an undertaking that seemed, in the judg- 
2 



XlV INTRODUCTION. 

ment of some men, merely presumptuous and fool- 
hardy, not to say ridiculous, and the more so, because 
David refused to be girded with Saul's armor. Some- 
times the things that the men of the world rely upon, 
and by which they expect every thing to be accom- 
plished, and without which they think nothing can be 
done, are mere impediments to faith. 

For the illustration of these lessons, we refer to 
the interesting and instructive narrative in the fol- 
lowing pages. It is a narrative -that utters in every 
part the anthem of brighter worlds — Glory to God 
and the Lamb ! It is a narrative that shows what 
God may at any time be pleased to do, inspiring the 
weakness of man ; and what man may do, trusting 
in the strength of God. To the Christian at home 
and the missionary abroad, it is a narrative full of 
heavenly suggestion and encouragement. 

The relation of it to the churches in America has 
gained Mr. Bertram and his island mission a place of 
remembrance and affectionate prayerful interest in 
thousands of hearts, that otherwise would have heard 
of this great work of grace only by faint and far-off 
voices. What has been given, has been given joyful- 
ly ; never did any appeal for any station in the wide 
missionary field of the world meet a more welcome 
response, and prayer has gone before the offering. 



CONTENTS. 



Page 
PREFACE i 

INTRODUCTION, BY REV. G. B. CHEEVER, D.D V 



CHAPTER I. 

LIFE AT HOME 17 

CHAPTER II. 

LIFE AT THE CAPE 40 

CHAPTER III. 

LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY 68 

CHAPTER IV. 

LIFE AT ST. HELENA 113 

APPENDIX. 

A — DECEASE OF MRS. SARAH B. JUDSON 191 

B — CASES OF HAPPY DEATHS AT ST. HELENA 196 

C — MISSION TO A.MERICA 213 



LIFE AND LABORS. 
CHAPTER I. 

LIFE AT HOME. 

James McGregor Bertram is a native of 
Scotland. He was born February 24th, 1806, at 
Southfield, in the parish of Gladsmuir, East Lo- 
thian, Haddingtonshire, where, a hundred years 
ago, the great historian, Dr. William Robertson, 
ministered in the name of Christ, and where he 
wrote his " History of Scotland." The home of 
his childhood was in the western part of the par- 
ish, not far from the village of Tranent, and in 
full view of the majestic Frith of Forth, which is 
reached by an easy descent of land toward the 
North. Preston Pans, where Charles Edward Stu- 
art, the Pretender, having already taken Edin- 
burgh, met and completely routed the forces of 
Sir John Cope, on the morning of Saturday, the 
21st of September, 1745, on which occasion the 
godly Colonel James Gardiner lost his life, is in 
the immediate neighborhood on the west. The 
capital is but eleven miles distant. Haddington, 



18 LIFE AT HOME. 

where that man of God, the Rev. John Brown, of 
the Associate Synod, so faithfully taught and il- 
lustrated the Gospel, and whose fame is in all the 
churches, is about four miles to the east. It is a 
neighborhood full of interest to the lover of Scotch 
history, and of stirring associations. 

The father of Mr. Bertram, true to the faith 
of his noble ancestors, adhered to the Church of 
Scotland, and faithfully endeavored to bring up 
his children (deprived of their godly mother at an 
early age) in the nurture and admonition of the 
Lord. He taught them to walk in the fear of 
God, to reverence His name, to hallow His sab- 
baths, to study His word, and to offer the morn- 
ing and evening sacrifice. His children were sev- 
erally brought to the sanctuary in their infancy, 
and consecrated to God. James M'Gregor was 
thus baptized, according to the usages of the Scot- 
tish Church, shortly after his birth, by the Rev. 
Mr. Brown, in the parish church of Gladsmuir. 

In the year 1809 the family removed to the 
southwest of Scotland, and took up their resi- 
dence at Mount Pleasant, about half a mile from 
the ancient town of Dumfries, on the eastern 
bank of the river Nith, and about nine miles 
from the Solway Frith. Here in the midst of 
beautiful scenery and splendid prospects, for 
which Dumfries is so justly celebrated — here, 
among the hills and vales of bonny Nithsdale, im- 



LIFE AT HOME. 19 

mortalized by Scotland's favorite bard, where 
Burns spent the last eight years of his life, and 
where he was buried, as indicated by the noble 
monument in St. Michael's church-yard, over his 
remains — Mr. Bertram passed his youthful days, 
and grew to the stature of manhood. His worthy 
sire, shortly after his arrival at Dumfries, became 
connected with the Relief Church, then under the 
pastoral care of the venerable Andrew Fife, by 
whose ministrations the religious impressions, made 
on the youthful mind of James by parental faith- 
fulness, were greatly confirmed. He received the 
rudiments of learning at an excellent school in 
Dumfries, but the limited means of the family 
could not afford him the advantages of a finished 
education. 

The father was a tiller of the ground, on a 
small scale. He occupied himself principally in 
the cultivation of plants, and flowers, and seeds ; 
in which healthful and inspiring employment he 
was assisted by James. His boyhood thus was 
passed amid the beauties of nature, in close famil- 
iarity with some of her most delightful works. He 
spent his early days, not in the feculent atmo- 
sphere of the crowded haunts of vice and dissi- 
pation, but in the midst of umbrageous woods, and 
graceful plants, and smiling flowers, 

" Where the fantastic tulip strives to break 
In two-fold beauty, and a parted streak; 



20 LIFE AT HOME. 

The twining jasmine and the blushing rose, 
With lavish grace their morning scents disclose : 
The smelling tuberose and jonquil declare 
The stronger impulse of an evening air." 

It is a privilege not sufficiently appreciated, to 
have our earliest associations formed away from 
the artificial habits, and dusty streets, and dingy 
walls of the city — away from the thousand temp- 
tations that there beset the minds of the youth, 
and lead them astray — to dwell where God is seen 
in all His works, and where sweet innocence, sim- 
plicity, and purity are found. 

" Oh ! friendly to the best pursuits of man — 
Friendly to thoaght, to virtue, and to peace, 
Domestic life, in rural pleasure passed ! 
Few know thy value, and few taste thy sweets; 
Though many boast thy favors, and affect 
To understand and choose thee for their own." 

An elder brother had found his way to England, 
and established himself, in company with Mr. Alex- 
ander Grierson, as a cloth merchant, in the flourish- 
ing town of Manchester. Thither James was sent 
in 1824, at the age of eighteen years, to assist his 
brother Thomas, and learn the art and mystery 
of trade. Thomas Bertram was a member of 
the Independent Church, worshiping in Chapel- 
street, near Gravel-lane, Salford, under the pas- 
toral care of the Rev. John A. Coombs. Oc- 
casionally the young Scotchman was found at St. 



LIFE AT HOME. 21 

Clement's Church, Levers-street, at that time 
served by the Rev. William Nunn. Under the 
ministry of the latter, in the year 1825, his con- 
science appears to have been aroused, and his soul 
awakened to a vivid religious sensibility. The 
precious seed, that had so long before been sown 
in Nithsdale, now began to vegetate and bear 
fruit in Lancashire. He was led to seek the for- 
giveness of sin and peace with God, through faith 
in the blood of Jesus Christ. From this time 
the course of his life was changed. In his nine- 
teenth year he became a subject of grace, and 
cherished a hope of salvation. 

Although Mr. Bertram had thus been brought 
to regard himself as a believer, he was still by no 
means decided as to the particular church, in which 
he should make a profession of religion. It is not 
necessary to state the considerations which kept 
him for a length of time from the Lord's table. It 
was not until the twenty-seventh year of his age 
that his course was made plain, and the way pre- 
pared for his complete separation from the world. 
In the year 1833, the Rev. Robert Aitken, at 
that time a preacher of wonderful power and pop- 
ularity, came to Manchester, and exerted, by the 
blessing of God, that influence over the mind of 
Mr. Bertram, which resulted in his full and en- 
tire consecration to the service of God. 

This distinguished preacher deserves more than 



22 LIFE AT HOME. 

a passing notice. He is a native of North Brit- 
ain, having been born at the close of the last cen- 
tury, in Roxburghshire, not far from the Tweed, in 
Tiviotdale. Sent, by a friend of his father's fam- 
ily, into England, to be educated for the Church, 
he was introduced into the ranks of the clergy of 
the Establishment about thirty years ago. Some 
little time after his admission to orders, he be- 
came the incumbent of the chapel at Douglas, a 
sea-port town on the eastern shore of the Isle of 
Man, and ^he principal place on the island, lying 
about sixty miles in a northwesterly direction from 
Liverpool. Shortly after, he was united in mar- 
riage to a lady of the place, of considerable prop- 
erty and high respectability. For a period of 
about ten or twelve years, Mr. Aitken continued 
in the performance of his official duties as a parish 
priest, respected and flattered by the people, but 
destitute of the power of godliness. Greatly at- 
tached to the Church of England, he held no com- 
munion with dissent, and scorned to be found in 
attendance on the ministrations of a Non-con- 
formist. 

It pleased God, however, to make use of an in- 
strumentality so despicable in the sight of the 
self-righteous clergyman, to bring him to the 
knowledge of the truth. He made choice, as He 
so often does, of " the foolish things of the world 
to confound the wdse," and " the weak things of 



LIFE AT HOME. 23 

the world to confound the things which are mighty, 
and base things of the world, and things which are 
despised." Some time about the year 1831, Mr. 
Aitken was passing a Wesleyan chapel in the Isle 
of Man, while the society were occupied in an 
evening conference. His attention was arrested, 
and he stopped without, to listen to the artless 
statements made by the brethren, in the narration 
of their Christian experience. He heard enough 
to convince him, that he was an entire stranger to 
such spiritual exercises, and utterly destitute of 
that " joy and peace in believing," which seemed 
to characterize these poor, despised dissenters. As 
he returned home, the conviction fastened itself 
upon him that he was a lost sinner. He shut 
himself up in his study, and began to cry for mer- 
cy. His prayer was heard, his pride humbled, 
his former righteousness renounced, and his heart 
renewed by Divine grace. 

The change thus effected in his views, feelings, 
desires, hopes, purposes, and plans, was most thor- 
ough. Filled to overflowing with the joy of a new 
convert, his whole countenance glowed with heav- 
enly radiance. He longed to impart the same spir- 
itual gift — instrumentally, at least — to his loved 
companion. He almost flew to find her, and com- 
municate to her the glad tidings ,^ but he seemed 
to her as one bereft of reason. At length, how- 



24 LIFE AT HOME. 

ever, she too was led to seek the Lord, and be- 
came as happy and zealous as himself. 

He now entered upon the work of preaching 
Christ with all his heart and soul. The people 
soon perceived the change in their minister, and 
flocked from all quarters to hear from his lips the 
wonders of Divine grace. The sanctuary was 
filled to overflowing with the crowds, and great 
numbers of them were pricked in their hearts, 
and led to cry, " What shall I do to be saved 1" 
The awakening became general, not only in the 
town, but in other portions of the island. T-aking 
advantage of the growing excitement, Mr. Aitken 
went everywhere preaching the word. As the 
churches were utterly insufficient to receive the 
multitudes, he adopted the practice of Whitefield 
and Wesley, and preached under the open canopy 
of heaven, in the fields, in the streets, and wherever 
the people could be gathered together. On one of 
these occasions, the congregation and their preacher 
were surprised by a heavy shower of rain, and found 
shelter within a Wesleyan chapel in the neighbor- 
hood, where, by the urgent invitation of the pro- 
prietors, Mr. Aitken continued and concluded the 
service. So uncanonical an act could not be over- 
looked by the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man. 
The Right Rev. William Ward, D.D., at once 
decided, that the man, who could pay so little re- 
gard to the canons of the Church, should feel 



LIFE AT HOME. 25 

the weight of her ordinances. Mr. Aitken was 
accordingly removed from his incumbency, and his 
name erased from the number of the clergy. Such 
are the tender mercies of lordly prelacy ! " From 
such apostles," God " preserve the Church !" 

But the fire thus kindled was not so easily to be 
quenched. The fame thereof reached Liverpool ; 
and soon an invitation was received from some of 
the dissenting people of that great commercial 
mart, and Mr. Aitken made them a visit. He^ 
was received with open arms, and invited to the ' 
pulpit of the Wesleyan chapel in Pitt-street. 
The results of his preaching soon appeared, as in 
the Isle of Man. He possessed a most attractive 
and commanding person, being fully six feet in 
height, and well-proportioned ; of black hair, and 
heavy whiskers, with a voice full, powerful, melo- 
dious, and perfectly at command. A well-trained 
mind, of far more than ordinary powers, brought 
into full exercise by the impulse of the new-born 
zeal with which his whole soul was fired, aided by 
vehement but graceful gesticulation, gave him a 
most wonderful control over the crowds and masses 
that flocked to hear him. He had seen so much 
of the deceitfulness of his own heart, that he 
trembled with apprehension for the vast multitude 
of professing Christians and others, whom he could 
not but regard as '^ having no hope, and without 
God in the world." He therefore deemed it to 



26 LIFE AT HOME. 

be his duty to bring the terrors of the Lord to 
bear with burning weight upon the ungodly, and 
so to prevail upon them, if possible, to turn from 
the error of their ways. He took for his motto, 
"The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon!" and 
armed himself for a crusade against all ungodli- 
ness. To the wounded sinner he held up a Re- 
deemer crucified, and bade him "Look and live." 

Numerous chapels were opened to welcome him, 
but none were large enough to contain the crowds. 
Deep impressions were made by the truths that 
he preached, and many souls were added to the 
Lord. He went up to London, and preached 
with like results in White's Row Chapel, Spital- 
fields, and in other chapels in the metropolis. He 
visited several of the large provincial towns, and 
ranged through Yorkshire, where his coming was 
like a tornado, sweeping all before it. He laid 
siege particularly to Sheffield, and so mightily 
prevailed the word of the Lord, that no less than 
six thousand souls, as was thought, were awakened 
to seek the Lord. At Birmingham and Manches- 
ter also, the populace were stirred, and ran to 
hear this second Whitefield. A wonderful revival 
of religion attended his ministrations wherever he 
went, and his fame spread abroad through all the 
land. His services were in great request, and his 
labors almost superhuman. 

Measures were taken by some of the Scotch 



LIFE AT HOME. 27 

residents of Liverpool, in 1835, to induce Mr. 
Aitken to locate himself among them. In confer- 
ence with him, they pledged themselves to Co- 
operate with him in a vigorous assault on the un- 
godliness and hypocrisy of the town, and to furnish 
the means for his support, and for the erection of 
a suitable place of worship. A commodious hall 
in Cook-street, capable of seating about eight 
hundred persons, was rented, and immediately 
opened for public worship. Ground was also ob- 
tained in Hope-street, and the foundations of a 
house of worship speedily laid. 

About this time Mr. Bertram's acquaintance 
with Mr. Aitken commenced. The latter ha4 
visited Manchester on a preaching excursion, and,^ 
as usual, attracted vast multitudes. A worthy 
Scotch citizen, at whose house Mr. Aitken was 
entertained, invited Mr. Bertram to his house, 
and introduced him as an ardent-minded Christian, 
whose views and sympathies were in unison with 
those of the distinguished preacher. The mind of 
Mr. Bertram had long been turning toward the 
work of the ministry^ and he was anxiously desirous 
to learn the path of duty. In Mr. Aitken he 
found an ardent friend and faithful counselor. A 
mutual attachment was formed, which led to a 
frequent correspondence on the return of Mr. 
Aitken to Liverpool. At the end of six months, 
Mr. Bertram concluded to listen to the pressing 



28 LIFE AT HOME. 

invitation of his friend, to go do^Yn to Liverpool, 
and take up his abode in the hospitable mansion 
of Mr. Aitken, with a view to prepare himself for 
the gospel ministry. After his removal, he gave 
himself to the work of exhorting, instructing, 
and praying in the social meetings of the new 
society. 

Hope-street Chapel was completed in 1836, and 
dedicated to the worship of God about five months 
after the foundations were laid. It was of respect- 
able appearance, built of stone, and adapted for 
the accommodation of about two thousand persons. 
It was immediately filled, and continued to be 
filled to overflowing. Month after month the 
Spirit of God was poured upon the congregation, 
and great numbers were hopefully converted to 
God. In ten months, the society, which had been 
organized with only nine members, had increased 
to fifteen hundred, of whom twelve hundred had 
been gathered out of the world, and received into 
the church on the relation of their experience. 
The work had extended into other towns. In 
Manchester, Burslem, Hanley, Congleton, Pres- 
ton, and Leigh, where Mr. Aitken had occasion- 
ally preached, little bands of brethren had gath- 
ered around him. It was desirable that these 
stations should be occupied. Accordingly, Mr. 
Bertram, with three other zealous brethren, Messrs. 
Campbell, Delaney, and Read, were publicly set 



LIFE AT HOME. 29 

apart, in the summer of 1836, to the work of the 
ministry. 

At a convocation held in Hope-street Chapel, 
October 2Tth, 1836, in which the several stations 
were fully represented, it was resolved to form 
themselves into a society, to be called " The 
Christian Society in connection with the Rev. R. 
Aitken." Rules and regulations were adopted, 
and the policy as well as purpose of the new or- 
ganization defined. It was agreed that, while the 
word of God alone should be regarded as the only 
infallible standard of their faith, " Wesley's Ser- 
mons and Notes on the New Testament" should 
be considered as containing their " sentiments of 
doctrinal truth," and be adopted as their legal 
and scriptural standard of doctrine ; although the 
views of the body were rather more Calvinistic 
than this would indicate. An ecclesiastical polity, 
compounded mainly of the Wesleyan and Presby- 
terian systems, was also adopted, and experimental 
piety made an indispensable prerequisite to mem- 
bership. They determined to be "a working, 
soul-saving society;" to make the salvation of 
souls the one great object and business of the 
association ; to labor and pray for revivals of re- 
ligion, and to seek for mighty effusions of the 
Holy Spirit. Prayer meetings were to be held 
weekly, and oftener, i* possible, and to be so 
multiplied as to give abundant opportunities for 



80 LIFE AT HOME. 

every one of the members to exercise their gifts 
of prayer. After every evening service, penitent 
meetings, or, as we call them, inquiry meetings, 
were to be held. The sermons were to be " not 
neatly-composed essays to amuse the intellect, but 
plain, strong, pointed appeals to awaken the con- 
science. The lazy, useless system of talking 
about good things in the pulpit," was to " be to- 
tally discarded, and every minister" required to 
" throw his body, soul, and spirit into the work." 
At the penitent meetings, " the elders and lead- 
ers" were to " go from pew to pew and exhort 
sinners to repentance." Gayety of dress, parties 
of pleasure, the use of intoxicating drinks, except 
as medicine, and marriage with unconverted per- 
sons, were not to be allowed, and all were con- 
scientiously to observe private, family, and public 
worship. In the admission of members, no true 
Christian was to be rejected on account of any pe- 
culiarity of doctrinal views. 

Such was the frame-work of a society which, 
within a few years, exerted a large influence in 
the work of calling sinners to repentance. The 
doctrinal views of Mr. Aitken and the preachers 
in the connection, almost coincided with those of 
the Rev. Charles G. Finney, of Ohio, an edition 
of whose " Revival Lectures" he put to the press, 
with an Introduction, " vindicating and enforcing 



LIFE AT HOME. 31 

Mr. Finney's plan of conducting the wcrk of 
God." 

finmediatel}^ after the convocation, Mr. Ber- 
tram removed to the market-town of Hanley, near 
the sources of the Trent, near Newcastle-under- 
Lyne, in the northern part of Staffordshire, to 
which station he had been appointed, in connec- 
tion with Mr. Delaney. Here, among the pot- 
teries, with which the region is studded, he found 
ample employment for his ministerial gifts. Two 
churches were organized, and a number of out- 
stations were established. At the expiration of 
a year he was removed to Doncaster, an ancient 
and beautiful town in the southern part of York- 
shire, on the southeastern bank of the river Don, 
about eighteen miles northeast of Sheffield, and 
famous for its races. Here, too, his ministry was 
prospered, and a church of about one hundred 
members was gathered. In the fall of 1838 he 
was appointed to Stockport, a large and flourish- 
ing town, exceedingly picturesque, on both sides 
of the Mersey, and lying partly in Cheshire and 
partly in Lancashire, only seven miles from his 
former residence in Manchester, to the southeast. 
Here, too, he found a wide field of usefulness 
among the numerous workmen employed in the 
cotton factories^ for which the town is famous. 
His ministry was much prospered, and a -church 
of three hundred souls was gathered in the course 



32 LIFE AT HOME. 

of twelve months. From Stockport lie removed 
in the autumn of 1839 to the city of Bristol, where 
he labored for the two years following in connec- 
tion with the Rev. John Richardson, and gathered 
two churches, one containing about two hundred, 
and the other about three hundred members. 

During his residence in Bristol, his views on 
the mode of baptism w^ere considerably modified. 
To this subject his attention was called by the 
preaching of the Rev. Thomas Matthews, of Bed- 
ford. After a short season of inquiry, he con- 
cluded to offer himself as a candidate for immer- 
sion ; and with his wife, the Rev. Mr. Richard- 
son, and several others, he was accordingly im- 
mersed in the year 1838, by the Rev. John Bowes, 
of Dundee, without forfeiting, by this proceeding, 
his standing in the connection. He adopted main- 
ly the views of the great Robert Hall, and a large 
portion of our Baptist brethren in England, on 
the subject of church fellowship. 

In the mean time, Mr. Aitken, and the other 
ministers in the connection, were laboring, full of 
zeal and energy, in the prosecution of what they 
deemed to be their particular mission. 

Mr. Aitken had procured, in 1838, the old 
chapel in White's Row, Spitalfields, in the east- 
ern part of London, where formerly the venerable 
Dr. Townsend ministered. Leaving Hope-street 
Chapel, in Liverpool, to be supplied by others, he 



LIFE AT HOME, 33 

removed to the metropolis, and, assisted by Mr. 
Delaney, conducted the services in White's Row 
Chapel, producing here, as elsewhere, a great 
sensation. In the latter part of the same year, he 
purchased a commodious and comfortable place of 
worship on the Surry side, called Zion Chapel, 
Waterloo Road. In both of these chapels, service 
was maintained twice every Sabbath day, and fre- 
quently on the evenings of other days in the week. 
Immense crowds of all classes were attracted to 
hear Mr. Aitken, and a great excitement was 
produced. 

Shortly after his removal to London, he was 
deprived of his wife by death. This excellent 
lady had proved her devotion to the cause of her 
Lord and Master by unwearied services. She 
was regarded by the preachers and the people as 
a mother in Israel. Her influence over her hus- 
band was highly salutary and sanctifying. As 
long as she lived the work prospered ; but, after 
her death, it was soon perceived that Mr. Aitken 
was disposed to make his court to the great, the 
fashionable, and the wealthy. A part of the 
service of the Church of England, hitherto en- 
tirely discarded, was introduced into Zion Chap- 
el. The solemn tones of the organ, too, swept 
by the fingers of his sister, accompanied the 
songs of praise. Great offense was given to the 
society by these innovations. It was soon ru- 



34 LIFE At HOME. 

mored that he was about to make his peace with 
the Church, and abandon his late associates. An 
unmarried lady, of title and large fortune, the 
Hon. Miss G., was seen to be invariable in at- 
tendance on his ministry. It was not long before 
this lady obtained a complete ascendency over him, 
and urged upon him the desirableness of his en- 
tering the Church, in order to rouse the Estab- 
lishment, and promote as great a revival within, 
as he had for years without. It is possible, and 
so it was said, that the hope of a miter was held 
out to him. The temptation prevailed. He re- 
solved to conform. His obeisance was made and 
accepted. He was enjoined to make his con- 
fession, and be publicly rebuked. This humili- 
ating scene took place in his own chapel in Liv- 
erpool, which he succeeded in carrying over with 
him. The rebuke was administered by the Rev. 
Hugh M'Neile, the gifted and popular rector of 
St. Jude's, Liverpool. It was an occasion of 
great mortification to the godly men and women 
who had so long been associated with him in pro- 
moting the work of God. Thousands reproached 
him for his Sampson-like course, in betraying the 
cause of his Master for another Delilah. 

The Honorable Miss G. became the wife of the 
Rev. Robert Aitken, and introduced her husband 
to the gentry and nobles, among whom she herself 
had hitherto moved. He resumed his ministry in 



LIFE AT HOME. 35 

Hope-street Chapel, but " he wist not that the 
Lord was departed from him." The people no 
longer thronged the house as in other days. The 
unction, the power, the soul, were gone. The 
chapel was almost deserted. Despised by the 
people whom he had betrayed for a woman, he 
soon grew wearied of Liverpool, and sought an- 
other place of service. A church in Leeds, the 
great woolen metropolis, was in want of a minis- 
ter, and Mr. Aitken obtained the situation. It 
is understood that, in conformity, he now out-Her- 
ods Herod, and is verging even upon Popery it- 
self. He is an ADglo-Catholie of the Oxford 
school, and quite enamored with " The Tracts for 
the Times." During the ten years immediate- 
ly succeeding his conversion, he was valiant for 
the truth, and reaped a rich harvest of souls. 
Thousands on thousands were awakened under 
his fervid appeals to seek the Lord, and great 
numbers were hopefully converted. But for the 
last ten years his name has seldom been heard, 
and never in connection with spiritual awakenings 
and revivals of religion. Sad and impressive is 
the lesson derived from his experience. It was 
love for " this present world," that drew a De- 
mas away from Paul and his Master. Like the 
royal lion, the Rev. JNIr. Aitken made his voice to 
be heard, full of power, majesty, and grandeur; 
but "a dart strikes through his liver," and he 



36 LIFE AT HOME. 

drops, is seized and tamed, no more to strike ter- 
ror into the hearts of the wicked — no more to 
sound an alarm in Zion. Mournful spectacle ! 
Alas ! that such instances are not more rare. 

The defection of their leader disheartened the 
greater part of the brethren associated with him, 
and they separated. Many of them became con- 
nected with other dissenting bodies, and continued 
to serve God in the ministry, carrying, in many 
cases, their churches with them. A small num- 
ber of them, however, resolved not to abandon the 
" soul-saving" work to which they had devoted 
their lives. They accordingly combined, and 
formed an Association, entitled, " The Ebenezer 
Christian Missionary Society." The object of 
the new organization was set forth as having spe- 
cial relation to the preaching of the Gospel in the 
large manufacturing and sea-port towns, princi- 
pally in the North of England. Mr. Bertram ad- 
hered to this missionary band, and united with 
them in this organization. 

Mr. Bertram now removed to the large and 
flourishing town of Newcastle, on the northern 
bank of the river Tyne, in Northumberland, so 
long renowned for its collieries. Here, and at 
North Shields, and South Shields — both of them 
at the mouth of the Tyne, about eight miles to 
the east of Newcastle — he labored effectively in 
the ministry some two or three years. He spent 



LIFE AT HOME. 37 

about nine months, in 1842-3, on Holy Island, 
about six miles southeast of Berwick-upon-Tweed, 
lying near the coast of Northumberland, in the 
German Ocean, about nine miles in circumference. 
It is inhabited mostly by fishermen, whom he found 
in a very neglected state, and among whom he ob- 
tained about fifty seals to his ministry. He re- 
turned thence to Newcastle, and, after a short 
residence, revisited the home of his fathers in 
Dumfries. 

A period of almost nine years had now elapsed 
since his consecration to the work of the ministry. 
The whole period had been fully occupied in ar- 
duous and self-denying labors, principally among 
the poor and the destitute. He had been a mis- 
sionary from the beginning ; nor had he labored 
in vain. Hundreds of precious souls, among the 
thousands to whom he had ministered, had been, 
through his instrumentality, brought from dark- 
ness to light ; while to many more he had admin- 
istered consolation and instruction in the Lord, to 
their edification and growth in grace. Nor had 
he wearied of his work; he delighted in it — he 
gloried in it. It was a source of increasing de- 
light to him, and a perpetual occasion for grati- 
tude to God. 

But he had come to regard himself as under a 
call to a field of labor still more self-denying and 
laborious. The thrilling appeals from foreign 
4 



38 LIFE AT HOME. 

missionaries, for more laborers, had reached his 
heart. As he listened occasionally to the artless 
and forcible statements made by some of these 
brethren, who. had returnied to their native land to 
recruit their exhausted health, worn down by un- 
ceasing exertions among the wretched, the ignor- 
ant, and the debased heathen, his spirit was 
stirred within him, and his heart panted to carry 
the glad tidings of the Gospel to the most be- 
nighted of Adam's race. At home he saw that 
thousands of godly ministers were ready to break 
the bread of life to the hungry, while millions of 
the heathen world had none to care for their souls. 
He could not rid himself of the conviction, that 
duty called him to labor among the heathen. In 
the strength of the God of Jacob, he at length re- 
solved to leave his native land, and the friends 
of his youth, and the homes of civilization, for 
some pagan shore. He withdrew, in consequence, 
from the society, under whose auspices he had 
latterly labored. The field of its operations was 
at home ; they sent no missionaries abroad. In 
closing their connection with him, they gave him 
the following testimonial : 

'^Ebenezer Christian Missionary Society, 

[Official.] 

" This is to certify, that I have been intimately 
acquainted, and labored in the ministry with the 



LIFE AT HOME. 39 

Rev. James McGregor Bertram for the last 
seven years, during which time he has maintained 
a character becoming the Gospel of our Lord Je- 
sus Christ. As it respects his ministerial quali- 
fications, they are of a superior order ; and when- 
ever he preached, there was invariably an over- 
flowing congregation. His zeal in the cause of 
God is almost unbounded; and his success in win- 
ning souls to Christ has been such that I believe 
hundreds shall be the crown of his rejoicing when 
the redeemed are gathered home. And I humbly 
pray that God may direct him to that sphere of 
labor where he will be most useful, and where he 
will be recompensed for his valuable labors. 
" J. D. Richardson, 
" Corresponding Secretary, 
" And Pastor of the Church, South Shields. 

« South Shields, October 26th, 1844." 



CHAPTER II. 

LIFE AT "the cape." 

The visit of Mr. Bertram to Dumfries, in 1844, 
determined the course of his future life. He had 
formed a matrimonial connection, the result of a 
youthful attachment, with Mary, the daughter of 
Mr. Jonathan Currie, a respectable citizen of 
Dumfries. Three children were born to them in 
Hanley, Stockport, and Manchester — a daughter 
and two sons. Mrs. Bertram, whose health re- 
quired close attention, had left her husband at 
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in the spring of 1844, and, 
with her children, had spent the summer season 
among the scenes and friends of her childhood in 
Nithsdale. Mr. Bertram rejoined them in the 
following autumn. 

As the days were passing pleasantly along, in 
the midst of their kindred, and in the renewal of 
former friendships, Mr. Bertram very casually, 
as it would seem to all but reflecting minds, called 
one day at the counting-house, or ware-room, of 
Mr. James Afleck, with whom he entered into a 
free conversation on the subject which had lately 



LIFE AT THE CAPE. 41 

SO interested his OTvn mind — the work of missions 
among the heathen. 

Perceiving that the mind of Mr. Bertram was 
very fully set on going abroad, Mr. Afleck says 
to him, " Come, now, if you wish to go out to the 
heathen, here is a fine chance for you ; the brig 
Luna, Capt. Carmichael, is lying down at the 
wharf, taking in a cargo for the Cape of Good 
Hope. She sails in about a fortnight, and a Major 
M'Kee goes out in her with his familj'', so that 
you will have good company by the way. She is 
owned by the house of Afleck, Turner, and Co., 
andj I dare say, your brother-in-law, Thomas 
Currie, will see my brother Samuel, one of the 
owners, and secure a passage for yourself and 
family." 

To this proposal he had no reply. It seemed 
to him, as he thought of it, that the hand of God 
was in it. He went away, and pondered it in 
his heart. The more he thought of it, the 
more was it impressed upon his mind, that God 
was calling him to embark in this vessel for the 
scene of his future missionary labors. The busi- 
ness, however, required haste. He could not 
keep it long in abeyance. The brig was soon to 
set sail, and the decision must be made without 
delay. 

But this was not the only avenue of usefulness 
that was opened to him. A chapel, that had been 



42 LIFE AT THE CAPE. 

occupied by an Independent Church, in Dumfries, 
was now vacant. The friends of himself and wife 
were anxious to retain him among them. They pro- 
posed to him the gathering of a congregation on the 
banks of the Nith, and offered to secure the vacant 
chapel for the enterprise. The proposition was 
attractive. It spread before him a beautiful vista 
of pleasant scenes and delightful prospects. It 
would have been exceedingly grateful to all the 
family and friends, as well as gratifying to himself. 
But he could not rid himself of the conviction, that 
this was not to be his abiding-place. He carried 
the matter, day by day, to the throne of grace, and 
seemed to hear a voice from the inner sanctuary, 
saying to him and his, " Arise ye, and depart ; 
for this is not your rest." His doubts were 
solved ; his purpose formed. He resolved to put 
himself under the guidance of the "fiery, cloudy 
pillar," and obey the voice divine. 

Immediately, therefore, he set himself to the 
work of arranging for his departure in the Luna. 
He made known his intention to his companion, 
who, if she did not regard him as already a victim 
of "XKwa"-cy, thought him in great danger of it. 
But repeated representations of the case secured 
at length her assent and cooperation. He then 
sought another interview with Mr. Aiieck, and told 
him of the result of the conversation which they 
had had together a fev/ days before. Mr. Afleck 



LIFE AT THE CAPE. 43 

consented to break the matter to Mr. Currie, Mr. 
Bertram's wife's brother, whose circumstances 
were such as enabled him to help the would-be 
voyagers on their way, if he should approve of 
their course. But Mr. Currie was one of your 
prudent, worldly-wise men, that are wont to have 
great faith in the old proverb, "A bird in the hand 
is worth two in the bush." He had never approved 
of the roving life that his sister had led, and very 
plainly told her and her husband, that it was high 
time for them to settle down, and lead a more 
quiet life. Mrs. Currie, the widowed mother of 
Mrs. Bertram, an excellent lady, attached to the 
Church of Scotland, and a worthy member of the 
kirk, united with her son Thomas in these repre- 
sentations. But when they saw that the heart 
of Mr. Bertram was fully set in him to go to the 
heathen, they "ceased; saying, The will of the 
Lord be done!" 

Through the good offices of Mr. Currie, a pass- 
age was secured for Mr. Bertram, his wife, and 
two youngest children, in the brig, for the Cape 
of Good Hope, the expense of which Mr. Currie 
paid from his own purse. He also furnished them 
with a very suitable outfit, valued at about one 
hundred pounds. Their eldest child, a son, was 
left with Mr. Bertram's sister, Mrs. James Ham- 
ilton, at Manchester, who had ever shown a great 
fondness for him, and desired to retain and bring 



44 LIFE AT THE CAPE. 

him up as her own, having had the charge of him 
since he was eighteen months old. 

The Luna sailed about the first of November, 
1844, with Major M'Kee, Mr. Bertram, and 
their families, as passengers. It might truly be 
said of the missionary, as it was of the Father of 
the faithful, that "he went out, not knowing 
whither he went." No missionary society had 
taken him under its fostering care, and given him 
instructions as to his future course. He went at 
his own charges, so far as his missionary service 
was concerned. He went forth without purse or 
scrip, assured that He who feeds the ravens and 
the sparrows, and clothes the lilies of the field, 
would give both food and raiment to him and his. 
Though destitute of all earthly dependence, and 
having not where to lay his head when he should 
reach the Cape, he could say, in the sweet words 
of one of New England's sons : 

*' Yes, I liasten from you gladly. 
From the scenes I love so well ; 
Far away, ye billows, bear me. 
Lovely native land, farewell ! 
Pleased I leave thee. 

Far in heathen lands to dwell." 

His fellow-voyagers were, by no means, such as 
a pious heart would have chosen for companions. 
The captain and crew, as is so commonly the case, 
had not the fear of God before their eyes. The 



LIFE AT THE CAPE. 45 

most of them were shockingly addicted to profan- 
ity, and frequently their oaths and blasphemies 
could be heard above the bowlings of the tempest, 
with which, on several occasions, the vessel was 
furiously assailed. Major M'Kee had spent the 
greater part of his life in the East Indies, in the 
service of the Hon. East India Company. Having 
reared a numerous family, he had returned to 
Scotland, his native land, to spend his declining 
years in retirement and comfort. But the keen 
blasts of the North were too severe for a constitu- 
tion that had so long been tempered by the enerv- 
ating heat of a torrid clime, and he was compelled 
to seek a home in a land more congenial to health 
and life. The Cape of Good Hope, where he had 
formerly tested the proverbial mildness of the at- 
mosphere, offered him a pleasant home, and thither 
he had now turned his face. Like the most of 
those who are bred to arms, the major was as 
profane as the captain and crew. 

The voyagers encountered, as before intimated, 
a number of terrific storms, of which the last was 
far the most furious. While the ungodly crew 
were pouring forth their imprecations, and in- 
voking damnation in their cursings and blasphe- 
mies, the missionary betook himself to prayer, 
fervent and importunate, apprehensive that so 
much impiety would draw down upon them the 
vengeance of heaven. His prayers were heard, 



46 LIFE AT THE CAPE. 

and, full of gratitude to God for His sparing mer- 
cy, he resolved to make a renewed effort for the 
reform and salvation of those with whom he sailed. 
He took the captain aside, when the storm had 
subsided, and remonstrated with him, kindly but 
faithfully, on the impropriety and wickedness of 
his course of life. He pursued the same treat- 
ment with the first mate. They listened, and 
were not enraged. Permission was given the 
missionary to hold, when the weather would per- 
mit, during the remainder of ,the voyage, a daily 
morning and evening service of prayer, and to 
preach on the Sabbath. 

From this time forward, every morning and 
evening, the word of God was read in the cabin, 
and the voice of prayer was heard. The cap- 
tain, who was by no means a hardened wretch, 
and whose conscience was quite alive, piped all 
hands that could be spared from duty, an-d, with 
considerable reverence, he and they waited upon 
the services of their chaplain. On the Sabbath 
they were no less attentive to the preaching of 
the word. A marked and delightful change in 
the deportmenu of both the officers and their crew 
soon was manifested. Nor was the change less 
observable in the cabin. The old East India sol- 
dier, who had never, in all his life, save perhaps in 
childhood, bowed his knee in prayer, became an 
earnest seeker of the way of salvation. Ere 



LIFE AT THE CAPE. 47 

long he might be seen gathering his wife and chil- 
dren around him, reading to them a lesson from 
the Holy Scriptures ; and then, on bended knees, 
pouring forth his fervent supplications to God in 
their behalf. The voice of profanity was hushed, 
and the voice of prayer and praise arose. God 
was with His servant, and owned his humble la- 
bors, while on the way to his destined haven. 
The concluding part of the voyage was as pleas- 
ant as the former part had been trying. Not a 
few of that company who embarked on the Luna at 
Dumfries, full of cursing and bitterness, will re- 
member, with eternal gratitude to the Almighty, 
their happy experience in the South Atlantic 
Ocean, while they were drawing nigh to the Cape 
of Good Hope, and beginning, some of them, to 
entertain a ''good hope^ through grace," of en- 
tering a haven of everlasting rest. 

At the expiration of the tenth or eleventh week, 
the wearied voyagers were greeted with the ever- 
welcome cry of " Land !" The elevated mount- 
ain-range, that commences at Table Bay, and 
stretches some two hundred miles in a northerly 
direction along the western coast of the southern 
extremity of Africa, was seen spreading out before 
their gladdened eyes. As they neared the shore, 
they could easily distinguish, by its peculiar for- 
mation, the huge mass of rock, rising more than 
three thousand five hundred feet almost directly 



48 LIFE AT THE CAPE. 

out of the ocean, whose flattened top has given it 
the name of " Table Mountain." The " Devil's 
Peak," an almost conical elevation, towered a lit- 
tle to the left, to the height of more than three 
thousand three hundred feet ; while on the right, 
and more distant, two peculiar prominences, re- 
sembling a crouching lion, to which have been in 
consequence affixed the name of the " Lion's 
Head," and the " Lion's Rump," the former 
nearly two thousand eight hundred feet in height, 
and the latter more than eleven hundred, com- 
pleted the background of the noble picture, to 
which all eyes on board of the Luna were now ea- 
gerly directed. They were presently abreast of a 
beautiful cluster of white villas, bearing the name 
of Green Point, on their right as they entered the 
bay, embowered among verdure. 

The bay, which also derives its name from the 
mountain, is approached from the northwest, and 
is open to the winds that blow from that direc- 
tion. As these winds prevail most in the winter 
months, May, June, July, and August, the road- 
stead — for it can scarcely be called a harbor, for 
want of a breakwater — is then very insecure, and 
frequently becomes the scene of great distress. In 
the month of August, 1842, only two years and a 
half before Mr. Bertram's arrival, the convict 
ship " Waterloo," and the transport ship " Aber- 
crombie Robinson," had gone to pieces on the 



LIFE AT THE CAPE. 49 

rocks in the bay, when more than a hundred of 
the convicts found a watery grave. At the south- 
ern extremity of the bay, the long line of white 
houses marks the site of " Cape Town," the prin- 
cipal settlement of the colony of the Cape of Good 
Hope. It lies on a gently ascending strip of 
ground, nearly three miles wide, that occupies the 
space between the mountain and the beach, and 
is a thriving, busy, and spacious town of more 
than thirty thousand inhabitants, with its Gov- 
ernment-house, Garrison, Forts, Parade-ground, 
Exchange, churches, chapels. College, school- 
houses, and other public buildings. The Luna 
had now reached her destination, and her anchor 
was dropped in the roadstead, among the ship 
ping, some distance from the beach. 

As Mr. Bertram and his family were leaving 
the brig, and were in the act of going over the 
gangway to enter the boat that was to carry them 
to the beach, the seamen came crowding around 
him to bid him farewell. It was hard for them to 
part with one, whose voice had roused them from 
the dreadful stupidity that was hurrying them to 
endless destruction, and awakened within them, 
by the blessing of God, an earnest desire for the 
salvation of their souls, through the grace of our 
Lord Jesus Christ. These hardy sons of the 
ocean were completely overcome ; they wept and 
sobbed like children. He who had been their 
5 



50 LIFE AT THE CAPE. 

ringleader in all mischief and iniquity, the most 
daring, hardened, and blasphemous wretch among 
them, John M'Donald, who had grown gray in 
profanity and dissipation, was now the most af- 
fected to tenderness. They could not consent 
that the missionary should leave them thus, to re- 
turn to them no more ; and so they entreated him 
to come back to the ship : " We cannot hear of 
your leaving us, Mr. Bertram," they cried, " un- 
less you promise to come back and preach to us 
next Sabbath, as you have been in the habit of 
doing. We never read our Bibles, or thought of 
our poor souls, or of the Almighty himself, until 
you came on board the Luna. You must come 
and preach to us again." Mr. Bertram very 
readily gave his consent, and assured them that, 
if it pleased God, he would surely be with them 
the next Sabbath morning. 

It was literally a neAV world into which our voy- 
agers had been introduced. It seemed strange to 
them, that the atmosphere was so hot and almost 
stifling in the month of January ; and that the 
land before them was clothed with the rich ver- 
dure and vegetation of midsummer. The habita- 
tions also, so low, and so quaint, with their ga- 
bles to the streets, covered with whitewash, and 
adorned with green Venetians, each with its stoop 
or porch before it, after the manner of the old 
Knickerbockers, seemed exceedingly odd. The 



LIFE AT THE CAPE. 51 

small window-panes, and the singular sign-boards, 
and the absence of shop windows, had a singular 
effect. They were greatly amused at the almost 
constant serenading of the barn- fowl, and the vast 
number and variety of lazy dogs, of which no two 
scarcely were alike. But most of all were they 
impressed with the strangeness of the people 
whom they met. At home they had seldom seen 
a genuine tawny son, of Africa; but here they 
were seen on every hand, and of all descriptions 
and shades of ebony. They seemed to be the 
most numerous portion of the population. There 
were the Hottentots, or " Totties," as they are 
familiarly called, the aborigines of the territory, 
of stunted growth, and sallow skin, like " the 
seared and yellow leaf," not a little bedaubed 
with grease and filth — with their angular faces, 
flat noses, high cheek-bones, pouting lips, woolly 
heads, and small, sunken, twinkling eyes ; ar- 
rayed in their ragged, thread-bare jackets, leather 
trowsers, or " crackers," and crumpled, slouch- 
ing, broad-brimmed straw hats ; and their vrouws, 
as the Dutch call them, of corresponding repul- 
siveness of person, in their patched and not over- 
cleanly chintz gowns, and turbans made of crimson 
cotton handkerchiefs. There, too, was the genu- 
ine African negro, of the deepest dye, of woolly 
hair, and protruding lips, the " galley" of the 
Cape, the patient bearer of burdens, whose home, 



62 LIFE AT THE CAPE. 

or that of his fathers, was Mozambique or Mada- 
gascar — once the slave, the property, of the colo- 
nist, but now free, and working for him as any- 
other laborers. To these must be added, the 
swarthy Malays, imported from the East Indies, 
and commonly known in the British colonies as 
coolies ; a patient, industrious, and useful race, 
that serve as mechanics, and house-servants, and 
fishermen. These, and their various intermix- 
tures, swarming everywhere, and mingled with 
various other African tribes, and the copper- 
skinned sons of China, and various nondescript 
specimens of humanity from the far East, of all 
aspects, of every variety of. complexion, and hab- 
its of dress, formed a population most singular as 
well as novel to the newly-arrived. These were 
the laboring classes, and the lower strata of so- 
ciety. 

But hardly less remarkable was the variety 
among the whites. Of these, a very large propor- 
tion they found to be of Dutch descent ; the colony 
having been principally settled by the Lowlanders 
of Holland, just two hundred years ago (1652), 
under Dr. John Anthony Van Riebeck, their first 
governor, and having continued in their possession 
until the close of the last century. For the last 
half-century it has been under the British govern- 
ment. The Dutch continue to form the staple of 
the peasantry, and retain, to a great extent, the 



LIFE AT THE CAPE. 53 

primitive manners and customs, as well as the 
language, of their ancestors of the seventeenth 
century. 

It was curious to observe the singular head- 
dress, also, to which so many were addicted ; the 
red handkerchiefs with which their heads were 
bound, in many cases, and the conical straw hats, 
somewhat resembling inverted funnels ; and to see 
eight or ten yoke of oxen harnessed to a rudely- 
built wagon, sometimes heavily loaded, but as 
often with almost nothing in it, like a huge ele- 
phant tugging at a mouse. Very refreshing, too, 
it was to see the little flower-gardens in front of 
the houses, with their blooming roses, and climb- 
ing vines, and orange trees with their golden fruit; 
and even hedges of roses, myrtles, aloes, and cac- 
tuses blooming profusely, and filling the pure at- 
mosphere with their delicious fragrance ; and to 
walk in the grateful shade of the long rows of 
venerable oaks, poplars, and pines that line the 
sides of the principal avenues. 

They found, also, that the town almost covered 
the plot of ground extending from the beach 
southward to the almost perpendicular sides of 
Table Mountain ; that the broad streets inter- 
sected each other at right angles ; that some of 
them were threaded with canals, as in Holland ; 
that most of them were destitute of sidewalks, 
and many of them without any pavements ; and 



54 LIFE AT THE CAPE. 

that the upper part of the town, near the mount- 
ain, is watered by a sprightly stream that issues 
from the upland on the east, and finds its way 
into Table Bay, at Cape Town ; the banks of 
which are the resort of hosts of laundresses. 
They were gratified to find that there were nu- 
merous walks and drives in and around the town, 
of the most inviting character, and in the midst 
of Jbeautiful scenery ; especially over the macad- 
amized road that leads eastward to Simon's Bay, 
amid corn-fields, orchards, gardens, and vine- 
yards, shadowed overhead with stately aspens, 
darkly-waving pines, and majestic oaks, along 
the base of the DeviPs Peak, with its cloud-capped 
summit, to the little village of Rondebosch, and the 
charming villas of Wynberg, a spot full of beauty, 
and enjoying a most delightful temperature of the 
atmosphere, the favored resort of the citizens of 
Cape Town, from which it is distant about seven 
or eight miles ; and that gardens and pleasure- 
grounds, glittering with the graceful foliage of 
the Protea Argentea (silver tree), extended 
around the town, indicative of wealth, pleasure, 
and refinement. Their attention was particularly 
directed to the noble square, or parade-ground, 
called the " Heere Gracht," covering several 
acres of ground, in the midst of which stands the 
handsome structure, called the " Commercial 
Rooms,'' and the far-famed library of the Cape. 



LIFE AT THE CAPE. 55 

Here, under the noble avenues of pines, witli their 
foliage of deepest green, sheltering from the burn- 
ing rays of an almost tropical sun, troops of gay- 
pedestrians might be seen enjoying the balmy at- 
mosphere, and luxuriating in the midst of the 
grand and inspiring scenery. Every thing seemed 
to conspire to arrest their attention, and to furnish 
them with pleasing topics of thought and conver- 
sation. 

While they found so much that was strange 
and peculiar, they also found that, even there, the 
gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ had shed its hal- 
lowed influence over Africans and Asiatics, as well 
as the boors and the British, Mr. Bertram had 
been furnished with letters of introduction to sev- 
eral of the servants of God who had made the 
Cape their home. Immediately on his arrival, he 
sought out these worthy men, and was most 
heartily welcomed to the southern hemisphere. 
He found himself very speedily at home in the 
society of that venerable man of God, the Rev. 
John Philip, D.D., who, since 1829, had occu- 
pied the position of superintendent of the London 
Missionary Society's operations in Southern Africa, 
the tidings of whose recent decease have been re- 
ceived with so much sorrow by the Christian world. 
The Rev. John C. Brown, also, the minister of 
Union Chapel (Congregational), formerly of St. 
Petersburgh, Russia, the grandson of the renowned 



56 LIFE AT THE CAPE. 

John Brown, of Haddington, Scotland, whose visit 
to America, in 1836, will he remembered with 
pleasure by all who formed an acquaintance with 
him, and who has subsequently resided at Cape 
Town, as the assistant of Dr. Philip, gave him a 
cordial greeting. But from none did he find a 
more warm and brotherly reception than from the 
Rev. George Morgan, of the Scottish Church, 
pastor of St. Andrew's, Somerset Road, who from 
the first deeply interested himself in the peculiar 
mission of Mr. Bertram, and continued to mani- 
fest the same untiring interest to the last moment 
of his stay at the Cape. Through the kind offi- 
ces of these and other Christian friends, to whom 
he was introduced, among whom the name of the 
excellent and learned James Adamson, D.D., de- 
serves special mention, Mr. Bertram was soon 
provided with agreeable lodgings at the Cape, and 
encouraged in his plans for missionary service. 

On the morning of the first Sabbath day after 
his arrival, he went down to the beach, to go on 
board the Luna, and preach to his former ship- 
mates, agreeably to his appointment on leaving 
them to go ashore. He found Captain Carmichael 
waiting for him with his boat, and glad to receive 
him on board. To his surprise he found, on reach- 
ing the vessel, that the deck was almost covered 
with seamen, who had come from other vessels in 
the harbor to hear a sermon from the missionarj^. 



LIFE AT THE CAPE. 57 

On inquiry, he was told that all this was the work 
of " Jimmy Watt." Jimmy was an uneducated 
Scotch carpenter, who had resided at Cape Town 
about fifteen or twenty years, and, during all this 
time, had untiringly cared, without compensation, 
for the religious welfare of the thousands of sea- 
men who had visited the port. Having furnished 
himself with a small boat, he was wont, on the 
morning of the Sabbath, when the weather would 
permit, to take with him a bundle of religious 
tracts, and row out into the anchorage, where not 
a few vessels were always to be found, and visit 
as many of them as he could, distributing his 
tracts to the seamen, and dropping a word or two 
of good advice to each of them, as opportunity of- 
fered. If at any time he could obtain from one 
of the shipmasters the privilege of a public gath- 
ering on the Sabbath for a sermon, he would en- 
deavor to prevail upon some one of the ministers 
of the place, or missionaries who might be stop- 
ping there for a few days or weeks, to accompany 
him in his little boat to the Bethel, and give a 
sermon to the sailors, whom he took good care to 
invite from all the vessels in the harbor. He had 
thus gained the good- will of the mariners, and ac- 
complished no small amount of spiritual good. 

As soon as Jimmy Watt learned of the appoint- 
ment on board of the Luna, he was on the alert, 
and spread the information among all the seamen 



5S LIFE AT THE CAPE. 

at the port, with an invitation to attend the service 
on Sabbath morning. Nor had the captain of the 
Luna been idle. Between them both, a large con- 
gregation had been gathered, to whom Mr. Bertram 
proclaimed the message of salvation. Several of 
the shipmasters also had come to hear him, to 
whom he was introduced after the services were 
concluded. One of them pointed to his vessel, 
and said, " There, Mr. Bertram, is my ship." 
'' A fine, large vessel," he replied ; " how long do 
you remain in port?" " Two or three weeks, 
perhaps," was the answer. " Well, then," he 
asked again, " can't I preach on board your ship 
next Sabbath day ?" " Certainly, Mr. Bertram," 
was the quick response ; " I shall be most happy 
to have you come and preach on board, and I'll 
take care to see that every thing is ready for you." 
Accordingly, on the following Sabbath he went, 
and found a still larger congregation than on the 
previous occasion. Sabbath after Sabbath he 
went and preached, while the number of his hear- 
ers was continually increasing. 

The work, into which he had thus been provi- 
dentially directed, began also to attract the atten- 
tion of the numerous Christian people of the town. 
They looked upon his coming as a call of God, to 
lead them to do something for the hundreds and 
thousands of seamen who resorted to that port. 
They held a preliminary meeting, and then a sec- 



LIFE AT THE CAPE. 59 

ond more general meeting, at which it was de- 
termined to secure a sufficient salary, and engage 
Mr. Bertram to labor as the seamen's chaplain at 
Cape Town. With this arrangement Mr. Bertram 
was satisfied, although it was not just the thing that 
had brought him from Scotland ; but, as the hand 
of God was so plainly in it, he could not as yet 
withdraw from it. 

Just, however, as he was entering fully into his 
work, he was laid aside for a time by a severe dis- 
order in one of his knees, during which period he 
received the utmost attention from his friend, 
Rev. George Morgan. By the kind and generous 
services of Dr. Bickersteth, under God's blessing, 
he obtained, after a short season of pain, entire 
relief, and resumed his labors. 

Another sphere of usefulness was presently 
opened to him. One of the brethren of the Bap- 
tist persuasion called upon him on a Sabbath 
morning, to direct his attention to a work in which 
he himself, full of zeal and devotion, had for some 
time been employed. " I have heard," said he, 
^' of your preaching among the seamen in the har- 
bor, and it has given me great joy. It is needed 
very much. But I want you to come down this 
afternoon and preach to the prisoners, who are in 
still greater need, if possible. We have a snug 
little chapel within the prison walls, where you can 
be accommodated with a pretty large congrega- 



60 LIFE AT THE CAPE. 

tion ; for tlie prison is quite full, principally, too, 
of seamen, who have committed some depredation, 
or other enormity, on ship-board. I myself go 
down at times and read to them a portion of God's 
word, and sometimes venture upon a few remarks. 
But you can be of far greater service to them, and 
I hope that you will consent to go down and preach 
to them this p.m. at three o'clock." Mr. Ber- 
tram consented to go, after preaching to the sail- 
ors in the morning. 

A scene of peculiar interest was presented in 
the afternoon, when he went down to the prison. 
The brother who had invited him informed the 
keeper of the object of their coming, by whose di- 
rection the turnkey opened the cells, and marched 
the inmates into the chapel. But such an un- 
couth, disorderly, and unmannerly assembly he had 
never before addressed or seen. They seemed to 
have been the victims of long-continued dissipa- 
tion, and to have indulged in all manner of un- 
godliness. One or two of them had even been ar- 
raigned for murder. It was with some instinct- 
ive shudderings that he saw the key turned upon 
himself and attendant, and felt that he was com- 
pletely at the mercy of these unprincipled creat- 
ures. 

But without delay he addressed himself to his 
work. As for reducing them to any kind of or- 
der, it seemed utterly impossible. They were 



LIFE AT THE CAPE. 61 

noisy, rough, and profane, jostling each other 
about as if determined to prevent the missionary's 
object, and to produce as much confusion and dis- 
turbance as possible. It seemed to be a hopeless 
task to undertake to gain the attention of such a 
rude and ungodly assembly. It was like casting 
" pearls before swine." Yet, in the strength of 
the Lord, he determined to make the trial. 

The brother, who had introduced him, com- 
menced the service by giving out a hymn, which 
they two sang alone as well as they could. Mr. 
Bertram followed with prayer and a portion of 
Scripture. Still, the disturbance ceased not ; and 
the irreverence of the audience was unblushing 
and shocking, so much so as almost to compel the 
missionary to abandon the attempt in despair. 
However, he resolved to go through with the serv- 
ice, if possible, and look to God to bring his un- 
manageable hearers into something like subjec- 
tion. 

Among this singular audience, the eye of the 
speaker had caught sight of one, a tall, muscular, 
lion-hearted fellow, with large whiskers and a bra- 
zen face, who seemed to be the ringleader in all this 
mischief. Having taken his text, Mr. Bertram 
endeavored to bring the burning truth of God's 
word to bear particularly and pointedly on this 
hardened creature, while the disturbance still con- 
tinued. At length, " the strong man armed" was 
6 



62 LIFE AT THE CAPE. 

seen to bow his head, as one crest-fallen and 
ashamed. When that head was again lifted up, 
it was evident that the fountains of feeling had 
been reached, for the tears had been coursing 
each other down his cheeks. The tender sympa- 
thy began to spread, and one and another to pre- 
serve something like respectful silence, so that 
the service was concluded with much more de- 
cency and propriety than was observed at the com- 
mencement. 

Encouraged by the success attendant upon this 
first effort, Mr. Bertram resolved to preach to 
them again, and to repeat his visits from Sabbath 
to Sabbath, if the way should be open. On the 
following Sabbath he succeeded still better, and 
had a comparatively sedate audience. An oppor- 
tunity also presented itself for a weekly sermon at 
the hospital ; so that he soon had as much work 
on his hands as he could well manage. Every 
Sabbath he preached in the morning to the sail- 
ors, in the afternoon to the prisoners, and at five 
o'clock in the afternoon to the poor, diseased in- 
mates of the hospital. It was among some of the 
most degraded, criminal, and wretched of the pre- 
tenders to civilization that he was thus called to 
labor ; nor did he shrink from it, or sigh for a 
more elevated class of hearers. It was for such 
as these that Jesus had died ; and none, more than 
they, could profit by the purchase of the Redeem- 



LIFE AT THE CAPE. 63 

er's blood ; and surely none could be found who 
more needed the benefits of that purchase. The 
meek and lowly Saviour, who came to seek and 
save that which was lost, and whom none heard 
BO gladly as the common people, the poor, the 
wretched, and the outcast, was pleased to stand 
by His feeble servant, and strengthen him for his 
self-denying and arduous work. And never did 
that servant more habitually feel that he was 
walking in the footsteps of the God-man, the 
great pioneer in the work of missions to the per- 
ishing. 

Not many weeks after the introduction of these 
services among the prisoners, the turnkey came 
up, on a Monday morning, to the lodgings of Mr. 
Bertram, and desired him to go down speedily to 
the prison, as his help was very much needed. A 
strange occurrence had taken place. " Why, 
sir," said the turnkey, " when we took the break- 
fast to the prisoners this morning, instead of being 
accosted with profane jesting, and blasphemous 
oaths, as usual, several of them appeared to be in 
the greatest distress, and begged us, for God's 
sake, to bring them Bibles." It was even so. A 
work of grace had commenced among these vile 
and abandoned sinners. God had blessed the 
word to their conviction ; and now, as the mis- 
sionary came to instruct and comfort them in 
their distress, they accosted him with the cry that 



64 LIFE AT THE CAPE. 

was heard in the prison at Philippi, " What must 
I do to be saved ?" 

A short time after this, as Mr. Bertram was 
coming out of the door of a stationer's shop, he 
perceived two seamen, in decent apparel, and of 
orderly conduct, who appeared to recognize him, 
and to be desirous of accosting him. Going up 
to them pleasantly, he said, " Do you know me, 
men ? I don't recollect to have seen either of you 
before." " Oh ! yes," they replied, " we know 
you well. We belonged to your congregation in 
the prison, and are glad that we ever heard you." 
" But," as one of them looked at the other, he 
said, " I could not have believed that such a hard 
heart as mine would ever have been softened." 
" Nor I mine, either," responded the other. " I 
think," they continued, "that we were all soft- 
ened. As for us, ever since we heard you preach, 
we have been determined to lead new lives, and 
try to save our souls and serve God. We have 
been discharged from prison, and have shipped on 
board that vessel that you see out there in the 
bay. We leave this afternoon, and would be glad 
if you could give us some religious tracts to read 
on the voyage." He took them to his lodgings, 
and gave them instruction in the way of life, with 
some suitable advice for their conduct at sea. He 
selected for them several tracts, and, bidding them 
farewell, he charged them to cleave with full pur- 



LIFE AT THE CAPE. 65 

pose of heart to the Lord, and acknowledge Him 
in all their ways. 

Another incident may be related, in this con- 
nection, bearing upon Mr. Bertram's usefulness 
in these prison ministrations. Among the poor 
creatures under arrest for crime, and confined in 
the jail, was a poor Hottentot, charged with mur- 
der. Having observed, in his visits to the prison, 
an appearance of deep anxiety and distress in the 
countenance of the criminal, he learned from the 
turnkey the nature of the accusation with which 
he was charged. But as he was unable to ad- 
dress him in the Dutch-Totty dialect, in use by 
these creatures, he called upon the Rev. George 
Morgan, who kindly consented to act as inter- 
preter, and accompanied him to the prison. By 
the inquiries of Mr. Morgan, as well as his own 
through Mr. Morgan, he learned that the poor 
Hottentot could give no account of the matter 
with which he was charged ; that, at the time when 
the man was killed, a mistake had been made in 
dealing out on the farm the spirit-rations, brandy 
having been substituted for the usual rations of 
Cape wine ; and that, in consequence, the two 
men had become deeply intoxicated ; that in this 
state they had first wrestled, and then quarreled ; 
and the Hottentot, being at first brought down 
by his antagonist, had recovered his footing, and 
catching up a piece of a plowshare, had in turn 



6Q LIFE AT THE CAPE. 

prostrated with it the man, who thereby had lost 
his life. 

On the trial, it was fully proved that the Hot- 
tentot had killed his companion with the danger- 
ous instrument, and no defense was made. As 
it was about to go to the jury, and the attorney- 
general had risen to sum up the case on the part 
of the government, Mr. Bertram, who had been 
anxious to communicate what he knew, sought an 
opportunity of getting the ear o? the distinguished 
attorney ; who thereupon called the attention of the 
court to the fact that a reverend gentleman was 
present who had visited the prisoner officially, 
and who could present some mitigating considera- 
tions, which he briefly related. His Honor, the 
judge, immediately observed, that if it could be 
proved that the man had thus been surprised into 
a state of intoxication, it would take away all evi- 
dence of a murderous intention. Inquiry was 
then made, whether there was any one present 
who could testify to the facts respecting the liquor. 
A stranger rose in the court-room, and declared 
that he was ready to testify. After his exam- 
ination, the case went to the jury, who returned a 
verdict of manslaughter^ and the man was sen- 
tenced to three years' hard labor on the roads. As 
the court adjourned, Mr. Bertram was universally 
congratulated by several distinguished citizens, as 
having had the happiness of saving the life of the 



LIFE AT THE CAPE. 67 

poor Hottentot, who, but for him, would have been 
found guilty of murder, and executed. 

In the midst of such useful services to human- 
ity, and in the prosecution of his spiritual labors 
among the sailors, the sick, and the prisoners, Mr. 
Bertram's time glided pleasantly along. He saw 
the fruit of his services, thanked God, and took 
courage. 



CHAPTER m. 

LABORS AT SALDANHA BAT. 

A NEW and remarkable scene, in the history of 
Mr. Bertram, now opens before us. While pur- 
suing his self-denying and useful exertions at the 
Cape, he resolved to make an excursion some sixty 
miles to the north. A large number of vessels 
had called at Table Bay, and procured permission 
of the government to proceed to Saldanha Bay, 
and take in a cargo of guano. In addition to 
their crews, each vessel also shipped some ten or 
twelve coolies, or Malays, to serve them in getting 
in their cargoes. The business held out a pros- 
pect of large pecuniary returns, and was, of course, 
much talked of in the commercial circles at Cape 
Town. It was ascertained that from one hund- 
red and fifty to two hundred vessels, some of them 
of one thousand tons burden, were anchored in 
Saldanha Bay, and that a population, most het- 
erogeneous, of nearly or quite two thousand souls, 
were congregated in the bay. 

The hearts of God's people at the Cape were 
moved, at the thought of the heathenish condition 



LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 69 

in which this large number of souls were living for 
weeks and months, without the ordinances of re- 
ligion, with no one to give them spiritual consola- 
tions in sickness, none to point the dying to the 
Lamb of God, and none to perform the services of 
religion at the burial of the dead. Mr. Bertram 
Avas so much affected by these considerations, as 
to determine to go down, if possible, to Saldanha 
Bay for a short time, and do something for the 
souls of this neglected and destitute population. 
On making known his intentions to his friends at 
the Cape, he was encouraged to proceed. The 
Rev. John C. Brown, of Union Chapel, in partic- 
ular, took a very deep interest in the matter. As 
soon as he heard of it, he came to Mr. Bertram, 
and said, " Go, my brother, in the name of the 
Lord ; and may Jacob's God go with you." He 
furnished him also with the means of purchasing 
an overcoat, for protection from the storms to 
which he might be exposed, in a place where there 
were none but canvas tenements to shelter him. 
His kindness in this particular, as in many oth- 
ers, is, and ever will be, held in grateful remem- 
brance. 

The ship " Ward Chipman," of St. John's, 
New Brunswick, commanded by Captain Aymers, 
a Scotchman, was then lying in Table Bay, ex- 
pecting to sail in a few days for Saldanha. Mr. 
Bertram sought him out, and made known to him 



70 LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 

his desire to procure a passage on board his ship. 
The captain was a man of a large heart, and very 
readily offered the missionary a passage, and the 
attentions of the steward of the ship, during all 
his continuance at Saldanha Bay, without any com- 
pensation. The necessary arrangements having 
been made on shore, Mr. Bertram bade farewell to 
his family and friends, and embarked on board the 
"Ward Chipman," on a Wednesday erening, in 
the latter part of April, 1845. 

Saldanha Bay is a " magnificent haven" on the 
southwest coast of Africa, about sixty miles north 
of Table Bay, in lat. 32° 54' south. It was dis- 
covered by the Portuguese, not long after the dis- 
covery, in 1487, of the " Capo de Boa Esperance," 
or Cape of Good Hope, and called " Saldanha," 
after a town of that name, in the northwest of 
Spain, in the province of Leon, probably the birth- 
place of some of the discoverers. 

It was first visited, so far as we can now learn, 
in the summer of 1620, a few months before the 
landing of the Pilgrims on the shores of New En- 
gland. Two East India merchantmen, on their 
outward voyage, put in at this bay, and their 
commanders, Fitzherbert and Shillinge, issued a 
proclamation, dated " Bay of Saldanha, 3d July. 
1620," in which they claimed the territory for 
King James I. No attempts were made, either 
then or subsequently, to colonize the country by 



LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 71 

the subjects of the King of Great Britain. In the 
journals of Dr. Van Riebeck, the first Dutch 
Governor of the Cape Colony, frequent mention 
is made of the natives that came from Saldanha 
Bay. One of the vessels belonging to the Datch, 
called the " Good Hope," was employed in 1652 
in exploring expeditions to Saldanha Bay, and in 
bringing thence, for the use of the colonists, sup- 
plies of penguins and sea-birds' eggs, which were 
there found in great abundance. 

John Baptist Tavernier, of Paris, on his return 
from the East Indies, in 1649, passed a few days 
among the natives at the Cape, where the ship ob- 
tained a great supply of birds' eggs, " as big as 
goose eggs." He represents these birds as a sort 
of goose, and says, " They breed in such great 
quantities in the country, that in a bay. about 
eighteen leagues from the Cape, you may knock 
them on the head with a stick," Commodore 
Roggewein, who visited this region in 1733, says, 
that " at the distance of about eighteen leagues 
from the Cape, there is another port, called the 
Bay of Saldeney, which is, in all respects, an in- 
finitely better harbor than that of the Cape, ex- 
cept one, and that is, in point of water." The 
distance accords with the description of Taver- 
nier, and shows that the latter had reference to 
this bay, when he spoke of it as the resort of in- 
numerable birds. In the journal of Governor 



72 LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 

Zacharias Wagenaar, the successor of Van Rie- 
beck at the Cape, appears the following memo- 
randum, under date of February IT, 1666 : " Sent 
the ' Crowned Herring' to Saldanha Bay, to fetch 
a load of sea-birds' dung for our gardens." 

The colony of the Cape of Good Hope was sur- 
rendered to the forces of Great Britain, under the 
command of General Craig, September 16th, 1795. 
But the Dutch, not willing to relinquish a naval 
post of so much importance, of which they had re- 
tained possession since 1652, fitted out an expe- 
dition, under x\dmiral Lucas, consisting of two 
sixty-fours, one fifty-four, four frigates, and a 
sloop, which arrived safely, and cast anchor in 
Saldanha Bay, August 2d, 1796. While they 
were refitting the vessels, and refreshing the crews 
and marines after their long voyage, a British 
fleet, under the command of Admiral Elphinstone, 
consisting of two seventy- fours, five sixty-fours, 
one fifty, and six other vessels came to anchor 
within gun-shot of the Dutch fleet ; and, knowing 
how much superior his own force was to that of 
the blockaded squadron, the British admiral sent 
a written summons for the surrender of Admiral 
Lucas's command. Reasonable terms of capitu- 
lation having been submitted, the latter surren- 
dered his whole fleet without the firing of a gun. 
The bay has thus acquired a considerable histor- 
ical importance. 



LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 73 

But a few years since it acquired a still great- 
er, and far more substantial, importance, by rea- 
son of the guano traflSc, to which allusion has al- 
ready been made. The fertilizing properties of 
the excrements of birds seem to have been known 
by the second governor of the Cape, nearly two 
hundred years since. But it is only within these 
twelve or fifteen years that scientific agriculture 
has brought fully to light the valuable qualities 
of these ammonial deposits, and created a de- 
mand for the article. During a long succession 
of ages, a considerable number of the rocky and 
uninhabited islands on the coasts of Africa and 
South America, particularly in the neighborhood 
of the two capes, at the southern extremities of 
the two continents, and along the shores of Peru 
and Bolivia, have been the resort of immense 
numbers of the singular water-fowl, known as 
the penguin, or pinguin, and others of like habits. 

Ferdinand Magellan, who sailed along the At- 
lantic coast of Patagonia in 1519, " met with a 
couple of islands so full of seals and penguins, 
that, in an hour's space, they could have laden all 
the five ships." He describes them as " a black, 
unwieldy fowl, extremely fat, covered over with a 
sort of down, instead of feathers, and armed with 
a bill like a raven's." These islands have since 
been known as " the Great and Little Penguins." 
They were visited also by the Dutch commander 



14 LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 

De Weert, in 1599, who says, that such was the 
multitude of penguins, " they might have fur- 
nished twenty-five ships with them ;" and that 
" they took above nine hundred in two hours' 
time." He gives a minute description of them, 
and says, that, when full grown, they weigh from 
twelve to sixteen pounds ; that they are black 
upon the back, and white on the under parts, hav- 
ing also a white ring around the neck, having a 
skin like a sea-dog's, and as thick as the skin of 
a wild boar ; that their bill is as long as a raven's, 
but not as crooked ; that their necks are short 
and thick, and their body as long as a goose's, but 
not so big. He says that, instead of wings, they 
have two fins hanging down, and covered with 
feathers, with which they swim with great ease. 

Laval, on his voyage to the East Indies, in 
1601, landed at Annabon, an island about one 
hundred miles south of the line, in the Atlantic, 
and discovered in the neighborhood a small rocky 
island, bare of vegetation, but so covered with 
penguins, that no one could walk anywhere with- 
out treading upon their eggs. Commodore Beau- 
lieu, who visited the Cape of Good Hope in 1620, 
describes an island about two leagues north of 
Table Bay, a large league in circumference, on 
which great numbers of penguins were found. 
Captain Funnel, in 1706, calls it, " Penguin Isl- 
and," and says, that it takes its name from a vast 



LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 75 

number of birds, about the bigness of a wild duck, 
with a sharp bill, and feet like a duck, having no 
wings, but stumps only, with which they fly not, 
but flutter, called penguins. :i 

The name is by some supposed to have been 
derived from the Latin word pinguis, fat. Oth- 
ers derive the word from a term in the old British 
language, signifying whiteness, because of their 
white heads. But Dr. Harris, in his Bibliotheca 
of Travels, afiirms, that the name was given them 
by the aborigines. 

The congregation of these birds, for ages, in 
countless generations and immense numbers, on 
some isolated rock, undisturbed by human vis- 
itants, has resulted in the vast deposits of the fer- 
tilizing substance to which the name guano has 
been affixed, and which, at the time of Mr. Ber- 
tram's visit, was found in such quantity at Sal- 
danha Bay. The name is of Peruvian origin. In 
that tongue, huano, pronounced by the Spaniards 
guano, means dung. The Peruvians have long 
been acquainted with the agricultural virtue of 
this substance. Vast stores of this bird's dung 
have been found for ages on the Chincha Islands, 
near the fourteenth parallel of south latitude, 
three rocky protuberances from the sea, of five or 
six miles' circuit, and about ten miles from the 
main land. Here it was found, at the commence- 
ment of the traffic, in a perfect state of preserva- 



76 LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 

tion, by reason of the infrequency of rains on that 
coast, and of the average depth of one hundred 
feet, in some places two hundred. Humboldt, in 
1804, called attention to this deposit, and re- 
ferred to its enriching qualities. The great gu- 
ano port of Peru is Iquique. The Peruvians have 
a proverb, " Huano, though no saint, works mira- 
cles ;" referring to the wonderfully- fertilizing pow- 
er of this article. 

At the commencement of this trade, the prin- 
cipal source of traffic on the coast of Africa was 
a small island, called Icheboe, farther to the 
north, in the twenty-sixth degree of south lati- 
tude ; but the demand soon exhausted the sup- 
ply, and the attention of the trade was now di- 
rected to the spot whither Mr. Bertram was bound. 

The " Ward Chipman" proceeded on her way, 
and arrived off the bay about ten o'clock in the 
evening of Thursday. The night was dark, and 
the captain, not being acquainted with the chan- 
nel, attempted to enter on the wrong side of the 
island, that divides the mouth into two nearly 
equal parts. Presently the breakers were seen 
within a few yards, and the position of the ship 
became quite perilous. The main anchor was 
speedily dropped, and the vessel stayed. As soon 
as it was known in the harbor, six and twenty 
boats were manned by the shipmasters and their 
men, by whose timely and powerful aid, the vessel 



LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 77 

was towed, with the loss of her anchor, and with 
no further injury, to a safe and quiet anchorage 
within the land-locked harbor. 

The morning light revealed the hidden dan- 
gers of the previous evening, and the peculiar- 
ities of the scenery in the midst of which they 
had reposed during the night. The dark olive- 
tint of the water, approaching almost to black, in- 
dicated, to some extent, the character of the traf- 
fic which was prosecuted on its surface. A more 
beautiful and safe haven for ships, they had sel- 
dom, if ever, seen. It seemed to be of several 
leagues in circumference, capable of containing the 
whole navy of Great Britain, and almost entirely 
shut in by the land, which rose on nearly every 
hand in gentle swells, and verdant plains, and 
was covered with a prolific vegetation. Imme- 
diately in front,. toward the sea, and occupying a 
large portion of the strait, by which the bay was 
entered, appeared a small island, of singular as- 
pect, called Maleasen, Malagasen, or, more com- 
monly, " Malagas Island." The bay was dotted 
in every direction with merchant-vessels of all de- 
scriptions, and hundreds of yawls, barges, and 
freight-boats were attached to the ships, or mov- 
ing quietly over the smooth surface of the bay. 

In the center of the island was a flag-stafi", from 
which lines extended in every direction to the wa- 
ter's edge. On nearer inspection, it was found 



78 LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 

that the soil with which the island was covered, 
was a vast bed of guano, some twenty or thirty 
feet in depth, that had been accumulating for 
ages, and which was now in the process of ex- 
portation to the four quarters of the globe. The 
lines from the flag-staff were designed to mark out, 
like the divisions of a plum-cake, to the crew of 
each vessel, the particular portion which they 
might claim as their own. At the water's edge 
was a jetty, or wharf, near which were seen scaf- 
foldings, designed to facilitate the transportation 
of the various " diggings" to the boats ; while all 
over the island the canvas huts and tents of the 
workmen, formed of sails and tarpaulins, thrown 
over spars and yards from the vessels, gave evi- 
dence of a numerous population. Gay banners 
and streamers were floating over these nautical 
encampments, inscribed with some fanciful appel- 
lation, indicating the vessel or country to which 
the occupants belonged, or showing some of the 
eccentricities of seamen ; such as " Sheerness," 
" Wapping," " London Docks," etc. 

The spectator was at once reminded of the re- 
semblance of the whole scene to a country fair, 
such, particularly, as are held every August at 
" Donnybrook," in the county of Dublin, where 
for six days the usquebaugh circulates most free- 
ly, and the shillalah flourishes in the air, giving 
weight and force to the brilliant points of Irish 



LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 79 

wit and argument. That Scripture, whicn says, 
'' Wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles 
be gathered together," was strikingly fulfilled at 
Malagas Island. The opportunity of trading with 
such an assemblage, as were there congregated for 
weeks, could nv : be resisted by the suttlers and 
grog-sellers at the Cape, who had flocked hither 
to share in the golden harvest, and pitched their 
tents along the shores of the bay. They found a 
ready market for their vile compounds of wine, 
rum, brandy, and other death-dealing liquors ; and 
frequent, as well as violent, were the scenes of 
riot and blood-kaing, with which this woeful traf- 
fic was followed. The poor sea-fowl, whose do- 
main had thus summarily and unceremoniously 
been invaded, had fled to other rocky points in 
and along the bay, where they seemed to be taking 
counsel as to the best means of regaining their 
time-honored territory. 

Such was the spectacle that presented itself to 
the eye of Mr. Bertram, on the morning after his 
arrival". After breakfast, he was put ashore on 
the main land, in the vicinity of a large cave 
formed by overhanging rocks. This natural hab- 
itation had been appropriated by an old Hiber- 
nian, of the sons of iEsculapius, a stout, over- 
grown, and somewhat venerable personage, who 
had converted the interior of his primitive hab- 
itation into a rude resemblance of an apothecary's 



80 LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 

shop, with mysterious-looking bottles and yials 
ranged around, in number sufficient to kill or cure 
"all who might wish to avail themselves of his won- 
drous pharmaceutic lore, and unrivaled skill in 
the treatment of all the ills to which the fle^h of 
man is subject. There, ensconced in his myste- 
rious habitation, that served him as office, parlor, 
ante-chamber, dormitory, and kitchen, he sagely 
gave out, that he would undertake the wholesale 
cure of broken bones and bleeding wounds, for the 
moderate sum of five pounds a ship. Nor was he 
unemployed. The disorderly and dissipated man- 
Qer in which a large portion of the sailors and la- 
borers lived ; the exposures to which they were 
constantly subjected ; the large potations of in- 
toxicating liquors with which they were furnished ; 
the want of vegetable food ; the constant use of 
salt provisions, and the overpowering effluvium of 
the guano itself, producing, by reason of the vast 
quantities of ammonia, inflammation and bleeding 
of the eyes and nostrils, served to bring into con- 
stant service the skill and the drugs of the old 
Irish doctor, and to test his power over such ob- 
stinate diseases as the dysentery, scurvy, and 
" redness of eyes." 

At the time of Mr. Bertram's landing, a con- 
siderable number of the shipmasters were assem- 
bled about the " doctor's shop," apparently in 
earnest and anxious consultation. On inquiry, he 



LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 81 

learned enough to show him the hazardous nature 
of the mission, with which he had charged him- 
self in coming to Saldanha Bay. The islanders, 
it appeared, were in a terrible state of insubordi- 
nation and mutiny. The sailors, under the influ- 
ence of frequent draughts of alcoholic compounds, 
had quarreled with the sable coolies from the 
Cape, and, in the terrible excitement of rage and 
intoxication, had belabored them with furious 
blows, and then driven them into the sea, where 
they would have been drowned but for the lug- 
gage-boats employed in transferring the guano to 
the ships, into which they were drawn out of the 
sea by the shipmasters, who had witnessed the 
mutiny. All business was in consequence sus- 
pended, and the most terrible scenes of drunken- 
ness and insubordination ensued. In vain were 
all the efforts of the masters of the vessels to 
bring them into subjection. They were met with 
volleys of guano, assailed with the carcasses of 
penguins and gannets, and compelled to flee for 
their lives, and betake themselves to their boats. 
A second attempt to subdue the rioters by means 
of cutlasses and fire-arms, resulted in complete 
failure, only serving the more to exasperate both 
parties. 

The shipmasters were now at their wit's ends. 
It was determined to hold a conference on shore, 
and consult on the best means of quelling the re- 



82 LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 

volt. Something effectual was demanded, and 
that speedily, or they could not answer to the 
owners of the vessels for their failure in securing a 
cargo, and subjecting them to severe loss. As for 
unfurling their sails, and putting out to sea as 
they were, it was out of the question. At length 
it was determined to dispatch, over land, four of 
the most respectable shipmasters, to Cape Town, 
and solicit his excellency. Sir Peregrine Maitland, 
the governor of the colony, to send them a ship of 
war, to bring the mutineers to their senses and 
duty. 

The land-route was circuitous, and much lon- 
ger than by sea. Three or four days were occu- 
pied in the journey, assistance being afforded them 
by the Dutch farmers who occupied the interior. 
Several days, therefore, elapsed before any infor- 
mation or assistance could be procured from the 
Cape, during all which time the state of insubor- 
dination continued. 

Mr. Bertram, being thus shut out from the 
great body of the seamen, whose spiritual welfare 
had brought him to Saldanha Bay, endeavored to 
employ his time with as much profit as the cir- 
cumstances would permit. As the Sabbath was 
at hand, he desired to secure an opportunity for 
preaching. Learning that Captain Samson, of 
the ship " John Jordan," from Bristol, was a re- 
ligious man, he made an arrangement with him to 



LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 83 

convert his ship into a Bethel. Quite a goodly 
number of the officers, and many of the seamen 
who were not compromised in the mutiny, assem- 
bled on the " John Jordan," at the appointed time, 
to whom he opened the treasures of God's word, 
and made known his commission as an ambassador 
of the Prince of Peace. At the pressing invita- 
tion of Captain Samson, whom he found to be in 
reality a man of God, he removed from the " Ward 
•Chipman," and took up his quarters on the " John 
Jordan." The captain gave up to him his own 
cabin, and showed him every attention and kind- 
ness in his power, during the whole time of his so- 
journ at Saldanha Bay. 

The delay, occasioned by the non-arrival of the 
aid expected from the Cape, gave Mr. Bertram 
frequent opportunities for exploring the shores of 
the bay. His early occupation had served to make 
him familiar with the vegetable creation. A pas- 
sion for flowers had grown with his growth, and 
strengthened with his strength ; and here, on this 
virgin soil, he found abundant means of gratifying 
it. Every day, after breakfast, the Jordan's boat 
was at his service, and he was put on the shore, to 
ramble off into " the bush," and meditate in the 
fields. Hour after hour he would ramble on for 
miles together, without the slightest interruption 
from any human being, and without any earthly 
witnesses of his footsteps, save an occasional mon- 



84 LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY.. 

key sporting on the rocks, and numerous birds, of 
most beautiful plumage. Nothing can exceed the 

splendor of the coloring — blue, green, yellow, scar- 
let, and crimson, alternating with the purest black 
and white^with which the feathered tribes are 
here adorned. To a lover of nature they present, 
with their infinite variety of song, a constant 
source of admiration. 

Nor are the beauties of the vegetable world in 
Southern Africa less inviting and peculiar. '' At 
every step we take," says Sir Cornwallis Harris, 
" what thousands and tens of thousands of gay 
flowers rear their lovely heads around us ! Of a 
surety, the enthusiasm of the botanist has not 
painted the wonders of these regions in colors 
more brilliant than they deserve ; for Africa is the 
mother of the most magnificent exotics that grace 
the green-houses of Europe. Turn where we will, 
some new plant discovers itself to the admiring 
gaze ; and every barren rock being decorated 
with some large and strong blossom, it can be no 
exaggeration to compare the country to a botan- 
ical garden left in a state of nature. The regal 
protea (silver tree) here blossoms spontaneously 
on every side ; the buzzing hosts of bees, beetles, 
and other parasites, by which its choicest sweets 
are surrounded, being often joined by the tiny 
humming-bird, herself scarcely larger than a but- 
terfly, who perches on the edge of a broad flow- 



LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 85 

er, and darts her tubular tongue into the chal- 
ce." 

"But the bulbous plants," adds the same au- 
thor, " must be considered to form the most char- 
acteristic class ; and in no region of the globe are 
they to be found so numerous, so varied, or so 
beautiful. To the brilliant and sweet-smelling 
ixia, and to the superb species of the iris (flower 
de luce), there is no end ; the morell, the corn- 
flag (gladiolus), the amaryllis, the haemanthus, 
and pancratium, being countless as the sands upon 
the sea-shore. After the autumnal rains, their 
gaudy flowers, mixed with those of the brilliant 
orchidae, impart life and beauty, for a brief sea- 
son, to the most sandy wastes, and, covering alike 
the meadows and the foot of the mountains, are 
succeeded by the graphalium, the xeranthemum, 
and a whole train of everlastings, which display 
their red, blue, or silky- white flowers, among a 
host of scented geraniums, flourishing like so many 
weeds. Even in the midst of stony deserts arise 
a variety of aloes and other fleshy plants, as, the 
stapelia, or carion-flower, with square, succulous, 
leafless stems, and flowers resembling star-fish. 
The brilliant mesanbryanthemum, or fig-mari- 
gold, extends to nearly three hundred species. But 
amid this gay and motley assemblage, the -heaths, 
whether in number or beauty, stand confessedly 
unrivaled. Nature has extended that elegant 



86 LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 

shrub to almost every soil and situation — the 
marsh, the river- brink, the richest loam, and the 
barest rural cliff, being alike 

' Empurpled with the heather's dye.' 

Upward of three hundred and fifty distinct spe- 
cies exist ; nor is the form of their flowers less di- 
versified than are their varied hues. Cup-shaped, 
globular, and bell-shaped ; some exhibit the figure 
of a cone ; others that of a cylinder ; some are 
contracted at the base, others in the middle ; and 
still more are bulged out like the mouth of a trum- 
pet. While many are smooth and glossy, some 
are covered with down, and others, again, are in- 
crusted with mucilage. Red, in every variety of 
depth and shade, from blush to the brightest crim- 
son, is their prevailing complexion ; but green, yel- 
low, and purple are scarcely less abundant, and 
blue is almost the only color whose absence can be 
remarked." 

Such are the beauties of the vegetable creation 
in the southern portion of that mysterious conti- 
nent, whose vast interior yet remains to be ex- 
plored by civilized man, and to the richness and 
gorgeousness of whose productions no other portion 
of the world can scarcely afford a parallel. 

The season of the year in which these rural walks 
of Mr. Bertram were prosecuted, was not the most 
favorable for the development of all these floral 



LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 87 

beauties. The heats of summer had passed, and 
the period of vegetable repose was drawing on. 
The April of that hemisphere, it will be remem- 
bered, answers to our October, and it was near the 
close of the month when he arrived. But still he 
saw enough, especially in the endless varieties and 
quantities of the bulbous tribes, to give him some 
conception of what the scene must be in the early 
spring, August and September. There he found 
plants, which in his youth he had cultivated in 
the green-house, and treated as precious exotics, 
growing wild, and in the greatest abundance. 

It was not his fortune to come in sight of any 
of the mighty beasts of prey with which the inte- 
rior abounds, and which sometimes show them- 
selves on the coast. Many of the large African 
bullocks, brought in by the Dutch boors, or farm- 
ers, were slaughtered on the shore for the use of 
the ships, by the butchers who had been attracted 
to the spot, and whose tents were pitched on the 
main land. On one occasion, as Mr. Bertram 
was preparing to take his morning walk, one of 
these sons of slaughter said to him, " I would ad- 
vise you not to go very far into the bushes this 
morning, as the lions have been roaring about our 
tents all night. We have killed so many cattle 
that they have been drawn here by the scent of 
blood." With some hesitation, and in the exer- 
cise of a good degree of cautiousness, he however 



88 LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 

concluded to go, but met with no other harm than 
a good scaring at a sudden rustling in the bushes, 
which proved to be only a winged lion, or some- 
thing else that takes to itself wings, and flies 
away. 

The vast quantities of arable land, exceedingly 
fertile, and entirely unoccupied, capable of pro- 
ducing immense crops of grains and other vegeta- 
bles, arrested his attention, and turned his thoughts 
to the starving millions of Europe, and especially 
of Scotland and Ireland, who know not how to eke 
out a subsistence from day to day. He could not 
but think, what a blessing it would be to both 
hemispheres, if a few thousands of the hardy sons 
of toil would emigrate to the rich and unoccupied 
lands of Southern Africa, and begin to develop 
the immense but hidden resources of that luxuri- 
ant continent. Millions, who at home have not 
so much as a small cabbage-garden, might there 
possess their broad acres of meadow and of grain, 
with all the vegetable products that are desirable 
for man's comfort on earth. Sometimes, in these 
rambles, he would amuse his idle hours by fancy- 
ing himself a planter. "Here," he would say, as 
his eye rested on a spacious level rock, surrounded 
by beautiful meadows — " here would be just the 
spot to build my house ; here I would have my 
garden ; there my barns, there the lawn, and here 
the park. What a magnificent site it would be !" 



LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 89 

While he was thus amusing himself with these 
daily recreations, and airy castles, it came into his 
mind that this was not just the thing that brought 
him to Saldanha Bay. '' All this," he said to 
himself, " is very fine ; but what sort of a mis- 
sionary am I '? When I was at home in Great 
Britain, I thought that I could go and preach 
Christ even to the cannibals. Like the great 
Apostle to the Gentiles, I could say, ' Neither 
count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might 
finish my course with joy, and the ministry which 
I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the 
Gospel of the grace of God,' even among the most 
degraded and abandoned of the heathen world. 
But now that I have come in sight of danger, what 
a cowardly missionary I prove to be ! I came to 
this bay for the very purpose of preaching to these 
seamen on Malagas Island, and now I have not 
courage enough to show my face among them !" 
The example of the noble John Williams, who laid 
down his life among the cannibals of the South 
Sea Islands, came to his mind ; and he thought of 
other holy missionaries, who had jeoparded their 
lives even unto death in carrying the Gospel to the 
perishing ; and he was mortified and humbled at 
his own pusillanimity. 

Thus brought, as it were, to his senses, and to 
a proper conception of the nature and require- 
ments of his mission, he sought a retired place 



90 LABORS AT SALDANHA BAYc 

among the rocks, and confessed, with a broken 
heart, to his Saviour, the unbelief and sinful fear 
by which he had been actuated, sought forgive- 
ness at the feet of his Lord and Master, and sol- 
emnly vowed before God, that, life and health per- 
mitting, he would go on the following Sabbath to 
Malagas Island, and preach, even if he should die 
for it, to the mutineers. 

At three o'clock, the hour when the Jordan's 
boat came daily to the shore to take him on board 
to dine, he returned to the ship. At the dinner- 
table, he said to the captain, " Captain Sam- 
son ! I wish to ask a favor of you." " Very well, 
what is it?" "I want you to take me in your 
boat next Sabbath morning to the island, that I 
may preach there." 

The captain was taken wholly by surprise. 
Suppressing for a few moments his amazement, as 
he stared ai Mr. Bertram, he at length said, 
" What, sir ! are you mad '? You do n't catch me 
doing so foolish a thing as to take you up to the 
island among those men. They would only des- 
ecrate the service, and perhaps take your life." 

" But what then 1" was the reply of Mr. Ber- 
tram ; " will you leave these men under the influ- 
ence of the devil, and make no effort for their im- 
provement? What is to make them better, if we 
refuse to carry the Gospel among them ?" " Well," 
responded the captain, " say what you willj I '11 



LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 91 

never take you up to the island." The captain 
was evidently nettled for once ; but it was only 
for once. The matter was dropped for the present. 

Just then a ship of war hove in sight, which 
proved to be one of Her Majesty's vessels that had 
been lying at Simon's Bay, or False Bay, as it 
was formerly called, on the eastern side of the pe- 
ninsula, that terminates in the Cape of Good Hope, 
on the west side of which Cape Town is built ; 
which vessel had been ordered to Saldanha Bay to 
quell the mutiny. The rioters had given them- 
selves up to gluttony and drunkenness. Day after 
day they had kept up their horrid frolic, until they 
had exhausted the stores on the island. Then 
they had crossed over to the mainland, and pos- 
sessed themselves of the contents of some of the 
suttlers' shanties, with which they had returned, 
and recommenced their terrible carousing. 

In the midst of their bacchanalian revel, they 
were brought to their senses by the presence of 
an armed detachment of marines from the ship of 
war, who had effected a landing from their boats 
with the greatest order and dispatch. They saw 
at once that resistance was useless ; and, when 
ordered by the commander of the frigate to ac- 
knowledge their wickedness, and sue for mercy, 
or he would open his ports upon them, and blow 
them to pieces, they begged, in the most abject 
manner, that he would let them off this time, and 



92 LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 

promised to go to work like honest men, and 
never again be guilty of such wicked conduct. 

The result was very gratifying to the officers 
of the man-of-war, and to the shipmasters. Con- 
gratulations were exchanged from one to another, 
and the commander of the armed vessel received 
on board the various ships with every testimonial 
of gratitude. He assured them all, that the re- 
bellion was at an end ; that the rioters were com- 
pletely humbled, had manifested the greatest sor- 
row for their disorderly and criminal conduct, and 
given him the utmost assurance, that they would 
all quietly and submissively return to duty ; that 
they might now take in their cargoes with all 
dispatch, and ere long heave anchor, unfurl their 
sails, and bend their course homeward. 

It was not in the power of the commander to 
make any stay in the harbor. He had been or- 
dered to the western coast of Africa, on a cruise, 
to watch the slave ships, and break up their pi- 
ratical traffic. He could not, therefore, remain 
in port any longer, after he had fulfilled his com- 
mission in coming to Malagas Island. His ves- 
sel was soon again under way, and, with a favor- 
ing breeze, pursuing her course toward the north. 

But, no sooner had the vessel disappeared, than, 
relieved of their fears, the revelers broke over all 
restraint, and returned to their former state of 
insubordination. They became more and ore 



LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 93 

infatuated and maddened; they formed parties 
among themselves according to the port or ships 
to which they belonged ; they chose ringleaders, 
calling them by the names of wild beasts, as they 
really seemed to be. To one they gave the name 
Lion ; to another, the name Bear ; to another, 
Tiger, and the like. All hope of a compromise 
was entirely taken away, and the shipmasters 
were completely at their wit's end. 

Mr. Bertram had watched the progress of the 
whole affair with the deepest interest ; and, when 
he saw the utter failure of the remedy devised by 
the wrath of man, he assuredly gathered, that the 
Lord was calling him to put in practice the pur- 
pose that he had formed, and fulfill his solemn 
vow to God. He therefore renewed his applica- 
tion to Captain Samson, on the morning of the 
following Sabbath, and requested him to accom- 
pany the missionary to the island, in his boat ; but 
the captain was resolute. He would not be a 
party in such a rash expedition, nor would he risk 
the life of his friend among such a set of incarnate 
demons. 

Among the vessels in port was the brig Hebe, 
of London, under the command of Captain Mosey. 
Mr. Bertram had formed an acquaintance with 
him at Cape Town, and learned from him that he 
had once made a profession of religion, and had 
"run well" for a season ; but that on these long 



94 LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 

voyages he had got away from duty, and, falling 
into temptation at foreign ports, had suffered him- 
self to be carried along with the tide of ungodli- 
ness, .which he had not sufficient grace to stem 
and resist. He had, in consequence, become a 
wanderer from God, and a grievous, but not in- 
veterate, backslider. He had manifested, in the 
apparent sorrow with which he had confessed all 
this to Mr. Bertram, that his conscience was yet 
tender ; and so had led the missionary to think, 
that some traces of grace remained. When a 
soul has once been renewed by the Spirit, he can 
never again be as other men are. Let him wan- 
der ever so far, he will still have some clinging 
of heart, like the prodigal son, to his former ex- 
perience, and be often saying to himself, "Oh 
that I were as in months past, as in the days when 
God preserved me, when His candle shined upon 
my head, and when by His light I walked through 
darkness !" He will now and then be saying — 

•' Where is the blessedness I knew, 
When first I saw the Lord ? 
Where is the soul-refreshing view, 
Of Jesus, and His word ? 

What peaceful hours I once enjoy'd ! 

How sweet their memory still ! 
But they have left an aching void, 

The world can never fill." 

Mr. Bertram, relying on this knowledge of the 



LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 95 

case of his backsliding friend, went off to the 
Hebe, and found the captain standing on deck to 
receive him. " Captain Mosey !" he said, " I 
have come to beg a favor of you this morning." 
" What can I do for you, Mr. Bertram 1" was the 
reply ; " you know that I '11 do any thing and every 
thing that I can for you." " Yes, I know it," 
said Mr. Bertram, " and so I have come to ask 
you to take me up in your boat to the island, that 
I may preach the Gospel to those poor rebels there, 
this morning." 

The request occasioned quite a struggle in the 
breast of Captain Mosey. After pacing the deck 
for a few moments, he turned, with moistened 
eyes, and a full heart, to the missionary, and said, 
" You know, Mr. Bertram, that I dare not take 
you up to the island. It was barely with my life 
that I escaped the other day. But come over to 
Captain Kerr's vessel with me, and we'll talk it 
over." So to Captain Kerr's ship, the " Fama," 
of London, they went, who, as soon as he saw 
them on deck, saluted them with " Good-morn- 
ing, gentlemen ; what has brought you here this 
morning!" " Why," said Captain Mosey, '' here 's 
Mr. Bertram begging me to take him in my boat 
up to the island, to preach to those seamen." 
" What !" exclaimed Captain Kerr, ^' preach to 
those seamen ! preach to those devils ! preach to 
those devils .'" " Yes," replied Captain Mo- 



96 LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 

sey, " and I think that he will not rest until we 
take him up." " What, to those devils ! those 
infamous scoundrels'?" responded Captain Kerr; 
'^ they ought to be hung, every devil of them. And 
are you going to take him up, Captain Mosey?" 
" Why," said Mosey, " if you will go, I '11 make 
one of the company." " But you know. Mosey," 
replied Kerr, " how they love me on the island, 
and how they treated me the last time that I was 
there ! And where, if we go, are we to find a 
couple of oarsmen?" So, stepping to the hatch- 
way, he shouted the name of one of the sailors ; 
and the quick response^ "Aye, aye, sir," was 
presently followed by his appearance on deck, 
" Come, my lad," said Kerr, " I want you to pull 
an oar to take Mr. Bertram to the island to preach 
to those devils there : what say you ?" " Are you 
going, captain ?" the man anxiously asked ; " if 
you go, I '11 go, too." Another oarsman was ob- 
tained from Captain Mosey's brig, and presently 
they were pulling away for Malagas Island. 

The morning was as lovely as can be conceiv- 
ed — just such a Sabbath as disposes the heart to 
peace and quietness, while it leads the soul away 
to the bowers of paradise, and impressively re- 
minds the soul of that rest which remaineth to the 
people of God. Hardly a word was spoken, or the 
silence of the five adventurers interrupted, dur- 



LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 97 

ing the two miles and a half, at which distance 
the Hebe was moored from the island. 

As the boat neared the landing-place, scores of 
the rioters hurried down to the jetty, or wharf, to 
see who dared approach their territories. A hor- 
rid sight these poor, infatuated creatures present- 
ed ! Th^ir clothes were almost torn from their 
backs, and hung about them in tatters. Hideous 
gashes, in some cases, and in others, blackened 
eyes, and dreadful bruises, gave evidence of the 
maddening fumes of dissipation by which they 
had, for days together, been driven to the ex- 
tremes of brutal fury. Captains Kerr and Mosey 
sat almost stupefied, as they gazed on these hid- 
eous wretches. Nor was Mr. Bertram less moved 
with instinctive apprehension. He trusted not, 
however, in himself, but in the living God, and 
lifted his heart to the Almighty to nerve his soul 
for the hazardous enterprise. 

Having fully committed himself to the protec- 
tion and guidance of his Lord, he seized the ladder 
of ropes, as soon as the boat touched the jetty, 
and, pulling himself up, in a few moments he 
stood in the midst of the horrid crew. Singling 
out one , whom he took to be a ringleader, a tall, 
powerful, ferocious- looking fellow, apparently pre- 
pared for any deed of desperation, he went di- 
rectly to him, gave him his right hand, and, with 
his left, tapped him on the shoulder, and said, 
9 



98 LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 

"Jack! do you know me 1" "How should I 
know you, sir'?" lie muttered. "Well, well," 
replied Mr. Bertram, " I am a minister of Christ, 
and I have come to-day, in the name of the Lord, 
to preach among you the glorious Gospel of the 
blessed God." Then, pulling from his pocket a 
flag, with which he had furnished himself before 
leaving the vessel, he continued, " Do you see this, 
Jack 1 This is the battle-flag of the Cross, that 
I brought down with me from the Cape of Good 
Hope. I see that you have a flag-rtaff up there on 
the island. Now, my brave fellow, take this flag, 
and let me see how quick you can run it up to the 
mast-head." Turning to another savage-looking 
fellow, who stood by, he patted him also on the 
shoulder, and said to him, "That 's a brave fel- 
low, Jack ; off and help him." 

It was enough. The right chord was touched. 
Away they went, hurrahing, the whole of them, and 
in a few moments more the Bethel-flag was flying 
from the top of the flag-staff. The signal roused 
the whole islund, and they flew from every tent and 
lounging-place, hundreds of them together, to 
know what was to pay now. The preacher plant- 
ed himself on a pile of guano-bags, and began his 
brief arrangements for the service.. But what a 
motley assemblage of human beings stood before 
him ! They seemed to be the offscourings of 
every British port on earth, such as might well 



LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 99 

remind him of the hideous tenants of pandemoni- 
um itself. 

They gazed mutually at each other in silence, 
a moment or two, and the missionary began : 
" Men ! I have somewhat to say to you. What 
think ye, that the shipmasters down yonder in the 
bay said to me, when I told them that I was com- 
ing here this morning to preach the Gospel of 
Christ to you? Why, they told me that you 
were the greatest vagabonds under heaven ; that 
you would desecrate the service of God, and take 
my life. But, my brave lads, I tell you that I 
am never afraid, under God, to trust my life in 
the hands of seamen. Now, men, if you will 
only listen to what I have to say to you, and take 
the good advice that I am about to give you, you 
will have an opportunity to-day of redeeming your 
lost character. Some of you, I dare say, were 
brought up in your tender years under the care of 
pious parents. Your godly fathers and mothers 
used to talk to you, no doubt, about your souls, 
and the things of God and heaven. They read to 
you, perhaps, the Holy Scriptures, and took you 
with them to the sanctuary of the Lord on the 
Sabbath day. Some serious impressions may 
have been made upon your minds by the good 
Spirit of God. You may remember the pious 
ministers whose sermons you heard in your boy- 



100 LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 

hood, and under the sound of whose ministry you 
sat. 

" But, ah ! that was ' long, long ago.' You 
left the parental roof, and shipped for a foreign 
port ; you were thrown into the company of un- 
godly men, by whose example, conversation, and 
raillery, you were led to shake off the impressions 
of early days ; and by degrees you lost the re- 
membrance of a father's counsel, a mother's 
prayers, your good minister's discourses, and 
those early impressions from the Lord, You were 
led into haunts of dissipation and vice, and grad- 
ually became hardened in sin, until you have ar- 
rived at your present pitch of iniquity. 

'^ Think, O men ! bethink yourselves of your 
early impressions, of the good advice of your par- 
ents, and the instructions of those Christian min- 
isters ; and let there be now a little serious re- 
flection, while I preach to you, on Malagas Island, 
the glorious gospel of the blessed God. Some of 
you, I doubt not, are good singers. Your vocal 
powers are admirable. You can sing in your 
groggeries and merry-makings, but you never em- 
ploy these powers for the glory of God. Perhaps 
there never was sung on Malagas Island a song 
of praise to God. Let us have the first song of 
praise to our Maker here this morning." 

He had brought with him several seamen's 
hymn-books, which he now took from his pocket. 



LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 101 

and distributed among them, saying, " Here, men, 
are some pretty little hj^mn-books — hymns made 
for sailors. I brought them down from the Cape 
of Good Hope. Now I will give out one of the 
hymns. Captain Kerr" — (for the two captains 
had followed him) — " will pitch the tune, and let 
us all sing together, the hymn commencing with 
these words : 

' God of Betliel, Tby whose hand, 

Tliy people still are fed ; 
Who through this weary pilgrimage. 

Hast all our fathers led.' 

Now, Captain Kerr, be so good as to pitch the 
tune. Come, my lads, strike in — sing all togeth- 
er : a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogeth- 
er. Lift your hearts and voices in praise to God. 
Remember that we are now worshiping God." 

Captain Kerr, who had a good voice, and was 
familiar with the favorite tunes in which the 
'' Psalms of David" are sung in Scotland, struck 
up " Old Hundred." One by one they began to 
fall in ; and, as line after line was parceled out, 
they joined more and more heartily, until the good 
old tune came free and full from hundreds of lips, 
and the whole island, bay, and farther shore echoed 
with these closing words of the excellent Dodd- 
ridge : 

<' Such blessings from thy gracious hand. 
Our humble prayers implore. 



102 LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 

And thou shall be our chosen God, 
And portion evermore." 

" Now, men," said the preacher, " you have 
sung nobly, and, blessed be God ! you are behav- 
ing yourselves well. I am happy to see it. Let 
us now look up to God in prayer." He closed his 
eyes, clasped his hands, and gave free course to a 
full heart in a fervent address to the Almighty. 

At the close of the prayer, he saw that the tears 
had been streaming down the cheeks of many of 
his hard-visaged hearers. Taking fresh courage 
from this manifest blessing of God, he then read, 
in the most impressive manner of which he was 
capable, the fourth and fifth chapters of the sec- 
ond epistle to the Corinthians. They gave a 
good degree of attention as he proceeded. " Now, 
lads !" he added, " you are behaving well, and I 
am glad to see that you have so much respect for 
the worship of God. You sung very well the first 
time ; come, let us sing another hymn from the 
little book." Once more they made the island 
ring with the good old church-music, endeared by 
a thousand recollections of the far-off land, and 
their native cot. 

The missionary began now to seat his audience. 
^' Come, my good lads !" he said, " don't stand up 
here any longer ; gather round me here, and sit 
down on the rocks, and make yourselves comfort- 
able, while I endeavor to preach to you the good 



LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. lOB 

word of the Lord." The congregation were pres- 
<ently seated, with the exception of a gang of five 
or six scores of vicious- looking characters, who 
appeared to be at the beck and call of two or three 
blackguards, on the right of the mass of the au- 
dience, and at some little distance. He soon ob- 
served that they seemed to be planning to break 
up the meeting by a tumultuous rush upon the 
-missionary. Holding up his finger, and then 
pointing at them, he said, "Come, come, you fel- 
lows there, I see what you are about ; and now, if 
you do n't stop your mischief, and break up all 
your contrivances, my good friends around me 
here will soon put you straight. So, the sooner 
you break up, the better. Come and take your 
seats here along with your other companions, and 
I will tell you things that will do your souls 
good." They complied with the invitation, and 
presently were all seated in expectation of the 
sermon. 

In proceeding to preach, he called their atten- 
tion to the first clause of the eleventh verse of the 
fifth chapter of the second epistle to the Corinthi- 
ans : " Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, 
we persuade men." He began the discourse with 
an exhibition of some of the threatenings, or ter- 
rors, of the Lord, addressed to the ungodly ; and 
showed how surely those threatenings would be 
executed against all who died in unbehef and im- 



104 LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 

penitence. He then showed them who the ungodly 
were, and spoke of them under several classes ; 
such as drunkards, liars, swearers, sabbath-break- 
ers, profane persons, idlers, and evil-doers. The 
evils of drunkenness were spread before them in 
the first place, as one of the sins against which 
the wrath of God has been revealed. They were 
reminded of them by an appeal to their own expe- 
rience, and especially to the consequences of their 
recent course of conduct, as well as by what they 
had seen and known of these evils in the lives and 
deaths of their comrades and- others. Earnest 
expostulations were used with them against any 
further indulgence in this worse than brutal vice. 

Mr. Bertram also presented before them the 
iniquity of malice, hatred, revenge, and all strife 
and contention ; he endeavored to make them 
ashamed of their violence one toward another; 
to show them that their hands were not made to 
beat and tear one another's flesh, but to minister 
to their comfort, and the good of their fellow- 
creatures. He told them that " God is love," 
and that the kindness of the Almighty, as well as 
His holy word, taught us to love one another, and 
give up the practice of fighting with our fellow- 
men. 

The sin and evil of swearing were next dwelt 
upon, and they were told how exceedingly provok- 
ing it was to God, as well as how profitless and 



LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 105 

unreasonable it was. As he drew near the close, 
he said, " And, now, let me persuade you, men, 
after I have left the island this morning, and you 
no longer hear my voice among you, to sit down 
together in groups about the island, and read to 
each other these beautiful religious tracts that I 
have brought down with me from the Cape of 
Good Hope. Some of you, I know, can read, if 
others cannot ; and, as you have been helping one 
another in the dreadful work of destroying your 
bodies, breaking God's laws, and ruining your 
souls, do try and help one another, through the 
reading of these tracts, to repent of your wicked- 
ness, return to God, and lead new lives. Let me 
also add, if you are permitted to live until to- 
morrow morning, just go about your work like 
good fellows. God never intended us to be idle : 

* And Satan finds some mischief still 
For idle hands to do.' 

Let me persuade you to go right about it on Mon- 
day morning, and labor honestly and industriously 
in your calling, as God and man would have you 
do, for your daily bread. And now let me say, in 
conclusion, if you will be persuaded to take this 
kind advice, I will come back again, and preach 
to you, if the Lord spares my life, next Sabbath 
morning. What say you, men, shall I come 1" 
With one voice almost they cried out, " Come, 



106 LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 

sir ! Oh ! come. We like your preacliing, sir, 
and will be glad to have you come again ; and 
then we will have a far better place prepared for 
you." "Blessed be God!" he responded; "it 
is not guns and pistols that you want ; it is not 
cutlasses, and ships-of-war, and cannon-balls that 
will serve to subdue you. No : it is the blessed 
gospel of Christ ; it is the precious blood of Jesus ; 
it is the Spirit of God. Now, men, you have be- 
haved well, very well ; blessed be God ! You 
sung well at the commencement of the service, 
but you will sing better at the- conclusion." 

Another hymn was given out, that was sung 
with a right good-will, and the meeting was closed 
with prayer and the benediction. He then took 
leave of them, invoking upon them, as they heartily 
responded to his parting salutations, the blessing 
of the Almighty ; and, accompg^nied by his two 
friends, he stepped into the boat at the end of the 
jetty, and soon made his way down the harbor to 
the principal anchorage. But, not as they came, 
went they back. Captains Mosey and Kerr, who 
kept their peace before, were now full of what 
they had seen and heard. They declared that 
the humble missionary of the Cross, with the sim- 
ple gospel of Christ, had accomplished far more 
that morning than her Majesty's ship-of-war, with 
all her carnal weapons. Mr. Bertram preached 
in the p.m. to the shipmasters and the crews 



LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 107 

on board, and with none the less force from the 
remarkable experience of the morning. Thus 
ended his second Sabbath in Saldanha Bay. 

The developments of the following morning 
were awaited with no little interest at the anchor- 
age. Very soon after the rising of the sun, it 
became apparent that the mutineers had returned 
to duty. The luggage-boats were put in requisi- 
tion, and the most active operations of business 
were resumed. ^' The sword of the Lord and of 
Gideon " had triumphed. The walls of opposition 
had fallen down at the blowing of the Gospel trum- 
pet. The weapons of a spiritual warfare, more 
potent than bristling bayonets, had proved 
^' mighty, through God, to the pulling down of 
strongholds." The island presented an appear- 
ance of busy and orderly industry, as opposite as 
possible to the scenes of the preceding fortnight. 
The quarreling, fighting, and horrid dissipation 
of those two weeks had given place to peace, con- 
tentment, diligence, promptness, and sobriety. 
Let God be praised, and man adore ! 

It was no fitful movement. Throughout the 
week, the bay and island presented the same busy 
and happy scenes. The following Sabbath morn- 
ing brought with it a perfect readiness on the part 
of the shipmasters to send Mr. Bertram to the 
island. On his arrival he was greeted with a 
hearty welcome by his grateful congregation, 



108 LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 

whose appearance presented a striking contrast 
to the tumultuous and riotous assembly into which 
he had cast himself, a week before, unheralded 
and unbidden. The bloody faces had been 
washed ; the soiled and torn garments had been 
exchanged for clean and tidy clothes ; and a much 
more convenient place had been prepared for the 
field-preacher, whose ministrations they now re- 
ceived with the utmost gladness. 

Thus, for several weeks, the humble missionary 
of the Cross, who, by God's grace, had achieved a 
nobler triumph than any ever won on battle-fields 
in " garments rolled in blood," continued to preach 
to the temporary inhabitants of Malagas Island, 
every Sabbath morning, with increasingly happy 
results ; and in the afternoon to the shipmasters 
at the anchorage within the bay. Every facility 
for the prosecution of his voluntary mission was 
afforded by the masters of vessels ; and, to their 
credit it should be spoken, they gave heed them- 
selves to the word preached. Grateful for what 
they had seen and heard, they appeared to be im- 
pressed also with a vivid sense of the obligations 
of religion, and to feel a sincere desire, some of 
them, at least, for a personal interest in the grace 
of the Gospel. This they manifested, not only by 
a most respectful attendance on the Sabbath ser- 
vices, but by coming together for religious services 
occasionally during the week, on board several of 



LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 109 

the vessels, where such meetings were held. 
Death was not idle during this period, as he never 
is ; and several of the shipmasters as well as sea- 
men, by some casualty, or virulent disorder, were 
summoned to their audit with the Great Judge. 
They slept the sleep that knows no waking until 
the last great morning dawns. It was customary 
when a seaman was taken sick to send for Mr. 
Bertram to read, and talk, and pray with him, al- 
most as regularly as to send for the physician ; 
and at the death of any of them he performed the 
solemn services of prayer and exhortation, so ap- 
propriate to the last sad scene of our mortal pil- 
grimage. 

While thus diligently and usefully employed, 
Mr. Bertram received a communication from Cape 
Town, conveying the distressing intelligence, that 
his only daughter, a lovely child, six years old, 
had been run over in the street near his dwelling- 
place, by an eight-horse wagon, and was lying 
in a very critical state, having barely escaped 
with life. His immediate return to the Cape was 
required, and the unwelcome information soon 
flew from ship to ship. The deepest sympathy 
was universally expressed for their beloved chap- 
lain, in his affliction, and regret at the necessity 
of their being deprived of his inestimable services. 
A polite and affectionate note was sent him, re- 
10 



110 LABORS At SALDANMA BAY. 

questing him to deliver a farewell discourse tlie 
same evening on board of Captain Kerr's ship* 

In the evening about sixty or seventy shipmas- 
ters assembled in the " Fama," to whom he 
preached as requested. At the conclusion of the 
service, three of the shipmasters rose, and, ap- 
proaching the preacher, stated, that they had 
been appointed by the masters of vessels in the 
harbor, to present him, in their name, with a 
purse of gold, which they put into his hands, with 
their most grateful thanks for his kind services, 
and for what God had enabled -him to do for them 
by the preaching of His blessed gospel ; and that 
they further desired him to purchase, from the 
contents of the purse, a silver cup, as a memorial 
of their gratitude, and to place upon it this inscrip- 
tion : — 

" Purchased by request out of a purse of gold presented 
to the Rev. James M'Gregor Bertram by about fifty com- 
manders of vessels and other gentlemen at Saldanha Bay, as 
a mark of esteem for his zeal, manifested for the moral and 
spiritual improvement of their crews and workmen employed 
on Malagas Island, in preaching among them the unsearch- 
able riches of Christ, 

DEPUTATION, 
Captaix Ej^tglish, Captain Neil, 

Captain Aymers. 
Saldanha Bay, 10th June, 1845. 

Mr. Bertram expressed his deep sense of their 



LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. Ill 

kindness, and assured them that, when he came 
down from the Cape to preach among them, he 
had no expectation of receiving a shilling for his 
services ; that he came not for their silver or gold, 
but purely for the salvation of their souls ; and 
that in receiving the purse he had to request them, 
that, instead of a cup, they would allow him to 
purchase a silver watch, of which he stood in need, 
and to have the inscription placed upon its case. 
It was a very tender and affecting scene. They 
parted, to meet no more, in many cases, until 
they should meet " at the judgment-seat of Christ." 

On the following day he took his departure by 
land, and at the expiration of four days, being 
assisted by the Dutch farmers in passing from one 
settlement to another, he arrived at Cape Town, 
and had the happiness to find that his daughter, 
(under the kind and unremitting attentions of Dr. 
Abercrombie, to whom he will ever feel under the 
deepest obligations,) was rapidly, by the blessing 
of God, recovering from her injuries. His jour- 
ney gave him also an admirable opportunity to 
see something of the beautiful scenery and exu- 
berant fertility of Southern Africa. The watch 
was purchased, and, with the inscription prepared 
at Saldanha Bay, has become his inseparable 
companion. 

At the time of Col. Napier's visit to the Bay, 
about the first of October, 1846, nearly sixteen 



112 LABORS AT SALDANHA BAY. 

months after Mr. Bertram's sojourn of eight or 
ten weeks, " a solitary bark lay motionless at 
anchor in one of the small rocky inlets of the gulf; 
the guano had disappeared, and the penguins had 
resumed their sway over the gray rocks of Malagas 
Island ; " a scaffolding or two, on the water's 
edge, to facilitate the embarkation of the manure, 
were the only remaining indications of the busy 
scenes which had of late enlivened its now aban- 
doned shores." The revenue accruing to the 
government, at the rate of twenty shillings per 
ton, is said to have reached the sum of <£200,000, 
leaving a vast sum to swell the fortunes of the 
principal dealers in this lucrative traffic. 

Thus helpful is the gospel to the pursuits of 
commerce, and to the productiveness of human 
labor. The merchants of Great Britain and 
America might well afford to plant a seaman's 
chaplain in every sea-port on the globe. They 
would be vastly the gainers by such an operation. 
Remember, ye merchant princes ! the hardy sons 
of the ocean, by whom ye have your wealth. 
Think of them, care for them, save them from 
perdition. The least that you can do for them 
is, to give them the gospel. You cannot give 
them a greater gift. Withhold not that. 



CHAPTEE IV. 

LIFE AT ST. HELENA, 

" A man's heart devisetli his "way ; but the 
Lord directeth his steps." The hand of God is 
very often distinctly seen in the shaping of human 
counsels, as it may always eventually be seen in 
human history. In cases not a few, enterprises 
of immense importance have been undertaken, not 
as the result of far-seeing calculation on the part 
of the agents enlisted in the work, but in obedi- 
ence to some unforeseen and unthought-of move- 
ment in the operations of Divine Providence. 
The very failure of our own plans, the disappoint- 
ments to which we are subjected, and the preva- 
lence of opposite counsels, serve frequentjy to 
bring us into spheres of labor, and positions of 
influence, where we can accomplish far more, for 
God and man, than if our fondest hopes, and 
wisest counsels, had been fulfilled. 

" Our indiscretion sometimes serves us well, 
When our deep plots do pall ; and that should teach us. 
There 's a divinity that shapes our ends. 
Rough-hew them how we will." 



114 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

Previous to the return of Mr. Bertram from 
Saldanha Bay, the good hand of the Lord was 
preparing for him, without his knowledge, and 
without so much as a thought of any such thing, 
a field of labor, and a home, in the midst of the 
vast Atlantic. One of the inhabitants of Cape 
Town, a young man, who had resided there about 
five years, and had recently been converted to 
God through the labors of some of the missionary 
brethren at the Cape, resolved to make a visit to 
the island of St. Helena, the place of his nativity. 
To this he was actuated in part, by a natural de- 
sire, not only to see again his friends and kindred, 
but to tell them also what the Lord had done for his 
soul. When he looked around on the spiritual des- 
olation of his kinsmen, and their fellow-islanders ; 
when he saw that thousands of immortal beings 
were living at St. Helena, in almost entire disre- 
gard, and many of them in ignorance, of the 
" Great Salvation," his heart was stirred within 
him, and he longed to do something for their spir- 
itual good. 

On the return of this young man to the Cape, 
he could not but tell, to his Christian friends, 
what he had seen and heard, of the destitution 
in his native isle. So deplorable was the picture 
that he presented, and so earnest was he in his 
representations, as greatly to move the hearts of 
the ministers and their people. They took coun- 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 115 

sel together, and in the name of the Lord resolved 
to undertake the enterprise of sending a mission- 
ary to St. Helena. 

It was while the Spirit of God was thus direct- 
ing their minds to this new field of labor, that 
Mr. Bertram unexpectedly returned from his suc- 
cessful mission at Saldanha Bay. Immediately 
on his return, he received a visit from his friend 
and brother, the Rev. George Morgan ; who was 
accompanied by the Hon. Judge Williams, who 
had come thither from India for the recovery of 
his health ; a man of the greatest devotion, and of 
most exemplary life, as a follower of Christ. 
They came to press upon his consideration the 
mission to St. Helena. They urged him to aban- 
don his original intention of penetrating into the 
interior of the continent, and called Jiis atten- 
tion to the fact, that here was as wide a sphere 
of influence opened before him as he could expect 
or wish. They represented that a large number 
of the population of the island were in an exceed- 
ingly benighted state, and expressed their aston- 
ishment, that no Protestant dissenting missionaries 
had been sent thither from Great Britain or 
America, while, it was confidently stated, the 
Church of Rome were contemplating the estab- 
lishment of a mission among the natives of the 
island. They entreated him to go and take pos- 



116 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

session of tlie ground, before the arrival of the two 
priests and emissaries of the Pope, 

As the proposition was entirely unlooked-for, 
and the sphere of service novel, Mr. Bertram, like 
a prudent man, desired time to inform himself, 
and, as in duty bound, ask counsel of God. In 
all former emergencies of the kind, he had be- 
taken himself to the throne of grace, with the 
prayer of the converted Saul, and asked, " Lord ! 
what wilt thou have me to do?" and never in 
vain. A voice from the inner sanctuary had again 
and again responded, " This is the way, walk ye 
in it." Some of his good brethren at the Cape 
would have had him remain there, believing that 
he was more needed in that port than even at St. 
Helena. But what was to become of the good 
work so happily commenced at Saldanha Bay'? 
His return to that station was urgently entreated. 
A letter had been addressed to the Rev. George 
Morgan, begging him to use his influence to send 
Mr. Bertram back again to Malagas Island. 

"I have taken the liberty," says Mr. John- 
stone, June 23d, 1845, " of addressing you these 
few lines, at the request of the seamen and Eu- 
ropean laborers employed on this island ; and they 
much regret that the Rev. Mr. Bertram's stay 
was not of a longer duration, as his visits to this 
island proved a most beneficial service to the poor 
islanders ; and every Sunday morning a general 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. IVj 

inquiry takes place, to know if his visits will be 
renewed, as he would be hailed with enthusiasm, 
and a most welcome return." Mr. Tait also 
wrote to Rev. J. C. Brown, by the same convey- 
ance, and said, "It would be doing an act of 
charity, by those who can order the same, to let 
us have our much and late respected friend again 
with us for a short period, as his services would 
be hailed with the greatest esteem." 

At the expiration of about ten or twelve days, 
the path of duty became so plain, that he deter- 
mined to make a visit, at least, to St. Helena, 
preparatory to the commencement of a mission in 
that island, should the way be clear. Measures 
were immediately taken, on the part of the Rev. 
Messrs. Morgan, Brown, Hodgson, Beck, and 
Ridsdale, with other Christian friends, to provide 
an outfit for the missionary. The following state- 
ment was drawn up as the basis of an appeal for 
contributions to the enterprise : 

" The Island of St. Helena, though hitherto un- 
occupied by any missionary society, presents a 
most interesting field for missionary labor. The 
population of the island amounts to between five 
and six thousand, of whom about two thirds are 
people of color. A large proportion of this latter 
class is scattered over the island, and left too 
destitute of religious instruction ; while many who 
are within reach of the means of grace are living 



118 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

in a state of irreligion and immorality, and need 
the labors of a zealous missionary to stir them up 
to a due concern for the salvation of their souls. 
In addition to this all- important consideration, the 
' signs of the times' render it extremely desirable 
that a Protestant missionary should enter on this 
promising field of labor without delay. Nor is it 
unworthy of the true Christian philanthropist to 
regard, with peculiar interest, the spot where JVa- 
poleon terminated his career in exile and in death, 
and to cherish the fond desire, that St. Helena 
should obtain a far more glorious celebrity from 
the triumphs of the Cross, 

"The Rev. J. M'Gregor Bertram, who has 
lately been laboring at Saldanha Bay, has ex- 
pressed his willingness to proceed immediately to 
St. Helena, to* preach the gospel to the destitute 
portion of its population ; and it is proposed to 
raise a subscription to aid in defraying his ex- 
penses. 

" It will be understood that those, who may be 
pleased to subscribe their names, do not in the 
least degree pledge themselves to repeat their con- 
tributions, the object being simply to enable Mr. 
Bertram to enter upon his benevolent enterprise 
without pecuniary embarrassment, leaving it to be 
determined by the result of his labors, whether he 
shall take up his permanent residence at St. Hel- 
ena, or proceed to some other part of the world, 



i 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 119 

whither Divine Providence may direct his 
steps." 

To this paper were subscribed the following 
names, with the amount of their contributions : 

Eey. George Morgap*^, Scot- Mr. W. Cairncross, Junior. 
tish Church. " T. Cairivcross. 

" J. C. Browist, Union Ch. " Broadway. " 
" T. L. Hodgson, Sup'dt. " J. Reid. 

of Wesleyan Missions. " A. Hutchinson. 
" J. H. Beck, S'th African «' C. S. Pillars. 
Missionary Society. " Gr. Thompson. 

" B. RiDSDALE, Wes.Miss. " Borrodailes. 
Mr. Alexander, B. C. S. " J. Lawton. 

" Hawkins, do. Dr. Abercrombie. 

'* Brown, do. Mr. Rutherford. 

" Williams, do. " Solomon. 

" W. Cairncross, Senior. A Friend, etc., etc., etc. 

A similar statement also appeared, June 21st, 
in the " Commercial Advertiser," of Cape Town ; 
and in the July number of '' the Cape of Good 
Hope Christian Magazine," a monthly periodical 
of decided ability, which had been commenced in 
the preceding January. In answer to these ap- 
peals, a sum exceeding sixty-five pounds was con- 
tributed by the gentlemen above-named, of which 
nearly forty pounds were collected by the truly 
excellent Judge Williams, who had manifested so 
great an interest in the enterprise. Captain 
James Adams, of the brig " Velox," since de- 
ceased, very generously made him the offer of a 
free passage to the island ; for which, and his 



120 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

subsequent kindness to one of Christ's disciples, 
he has ere this received, we doubt not, the reward 
promised by the Great Head of the Church to him 
who giveth a cup of water to any of His servants 
in the name of Christ. On Saturday, June 28th5 
Mr. Bertram bade farewell to his family, and, 
provided with letters to a worthy resident of the 
island, he set sail, with a favoring wind, for his fu- 
ture home. 

St. Helena is a singular elevation of rock 
in the midst of the Atlantic Ocean, eighteen hund- 
red miles from the Cape of Good Hope, twelve 
hundred miles from the nearest coast of Africa, 
two thousand miles from South America, and six 
hundred miles from the Island of Ascension, which 
is the nearest land. It lies in 15° 15' south lati- 
tude, and 5° 49' west longitude from Greenwich. 
Its extreme length is ten and a half miles ; its 
breadth, six and three-quarter miles ; and its cir- 
cumference, twenty-eight miles. It contains an 
area of thirty thousand three hundred acres. 

The island was discovered, May 21, 1502, by 
the Portuguese navigator, Juan de Nova Castel- 
la, and received its name in honor of the day of 
its discovery, the festival of " Saint Helena." 
Not a human being, probably, had ever before 
trodden its soil. An unbroken forest covered the 
island. Its shores abounded with seals, sea-lions, 
and wild-fowl. So it remained until the year 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 121 

1513. Fernandez Lopez, a Portuguese noble- 
man, on his way home from India, where he had 
been mutilated for crime, by order of Governor 
Albuquerque, prevailed upon the captain to set 
him ashore on this uninhabited island, whose sol- 
itudes he preferred to the shame and contempt 
that awaited him in his native land. His situa- 
tion having been made known to his friends in 
Portugal, they quickly furnished him with sup- 
plies of useful plants and trees, and various kinds 
of domestic animals, all which flourished and mul- 
tiplied greatly. Lopez was suffered to remain 
only about four years, when the island was again 
left without a human tenant. 

A somewhat different account is given by oth- 
ers ; who say, that Governor Albuquerque, after 
the battle of Goa, condemned several of his coun- 
trymen, who had previously deserted, and who 
now fell into his power, to lose their noses, ears, 
right hands, and thumbs of their left hands, and 
to be sent in this condition to Portugal ; but that 
they were all put on shore, with a few negroes, at 
St. Helena, with poultry of various kinds to serve 
for their subsistence. 

The former authorities represent that it next 
became the abode of four negroes, who had es- 
caped from a slave ship, and who shortly in- 
creased to twenty. The Portuguese, however, 
who had found the island a convenient place for 
11 



122 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

obtaining a supply of fresh provisions, and feared, 
lest the live-stock and fruits, which had vastly 
multiplied since the days of Lopez, would be en- 
tirely exhausted by the negroes, hunted them out 
and destroyed them. A Franciscan friar is said 
after this to have occupied the island alone for the 
space of fourteen years, until his death or removal 
by the Portuguese. 

About the middle of the sixteenth century, the 
island appears to have been made a regular settle- 
ment, and to have been subjected to cultivation. 
It was visited, in June, 1588, by Sir Thomas Cav- 
endish, on his return from a voyage around the 
world. A church had been erected, which he par- 
ticularly describes. He speaks of the valley 
where it was built as extremely pleasant, and full 
of plants and fruit-trees, having long rows of lem- 
on, citron, pomegranate, date, and fig-trees, nice- 
ly trimmed, and forming beautiful shady walks. 
He found great store of partridges, pheasants, 
turkeys, goats, and swine. 

From this time it became a convenient stopping- 
place for English, Dutch, Spanish, and Portu- 
guese vessels. It would sometimes be the case, 
that hostile vessels would meet here ; and conse- 
quently naval battles be fought in the harbor, fol- 
lowed by the wanton destruction of the town and 
plantations, when the victors were at war with 
the Portuguese. On these accounts, the settle- 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 123 

ment was abandoned in the early part of the sev- 
enteenth century, and once more became desolate. 

Several Portuguese sailors, having escaped from 
the wrecks of their two vessels, landed here in 
1643, and again stocked the island with cattle, 
goats, swine, poultry, etc. Two years after, it 
came into the possession of the Dutch, who plant- 
ed here a colony, but abandoned the island, when, 
in 1652, they formed their settlement at Table 
Bay. It came into the possession of the British 
government, under the Protectorate of Oliver 
Cromwell, shortly after, on occasion of a visit 
from the homeward-bound East India fleet. A 
fort was erected in 1658, by Captain Button, the 
first British governor, which was, after the Res- 
toration, called " Fort James," in compliment to 
the Duke of York, from whom, also, the principal 
settlement at the anchorage received the name of 
" James' Town." Settlers were encouraged, and 
slaves were imported from Madagascar. Charles 
II. gave it by charter to the East India Company. 
It was visited by Rennefort in 1666, who found a 
population of about seventy whites, of whom twen- 
ty were females, besides a few negroes. The great 
fire of London in the same year added several col- 
onists, who were driven abroad to amend their ru- 
ined fortunes. 

It fell into the hands of the Dutch in 1672, but 
was recaptured in the following year by a squadron 



1^ LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

of British vessels under the command of Captain 
Munden ; who succeeded by false colors in decoy- 
ing and capturing six East Indiamen, and an out- 
ward-bound ship of the enemy ; for which ex- 
ploits he received the reward of knighthood. His 
name was also given to the point and fort on the 
left of the entrance to the harbor. In 1676, '7, 
and '8, the island became the abode of the youth- 
ful astronomer, Edmund Halley, who, at the age 
of twenty-two, visited the island to observe the 
transit of Venus ; and, during his abode, made his 
observations of the fixed stars in the southern hem- 
isphere, and formed them into constellations, of 
which he published an account in the following 
year. The hill on which his instruments were 
erected has since been known as " Halley's 
Mount," and has an elevation of two thousand 
four hundred and sixty-seven feet above the sea. 

When the island was visited in 1691 by Captain 
Dampier, he found there a fort, with a garrison, 
" and a good number of great guns." The town 
was small, " the inhabitants having their planta- 
tions deeper into the country, which furnish them 
with potatoes, plantains, bananas, hogs, bullocks, 
cocks and hens, ducks, geese, and turkeys, in vast 
plenty. ' ' The latter years of the seventeenth cen- 
tury were characterized by frequent and violent 
disturbances at the island on account of taxes ; 
which continued, more or less, until, in 1700, all 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 125 

the " spirit-stills" that had occasioned the trouble, 
were suppressed. During the following century 
the population continued to increase, and the 
products of the island were greatly multiplied: It 
prospered much at the close of the century under 
Governor Brooke, in whose time it was made a de- 
pot for training recruits for the armies of the East 
India Company, to the number of more than twelve 
thousand soldiers, and the fortifications were great- 
ly strengthened. About two hundred Chinese la- 
borers were introduced, in and shortly after 1810, 
as well as new colonists from England ; so that 
a larger amount of land was speedily brought un- 
der cultivation. 

The subsequent history of St. Helena is better 
known. On the 15th of October, 1815, a British 
squadron, under the command of Admiral Sir 
George Cockburn, cast anchor in James' Town 
Harbor, St. Helena. From the deck of the 
" Northumberland" ship-of-war, Napoleon Buo- 
naparte gazed, with glass in hand, on his sepul- 
chre. The next day beheld him treading that soil 
which he was never to leave with life. This isl- 
and had been chosen as his place of confinement, 
because of its immense distance from every other 
inhabited coast, its complete isolation in the wide 
waste of waters, the perfect ease with which its 
walls of precipitous rock might be made impreg- 
nable, and the greater freedom that could be 



126 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

given to the imperial prisoner within his sea-girt 
fortress. 

The government of the island, which to this pe- 
riod had been in the hands of the East India 
Company, was now surrendered to the crown. The 
military force was largely increased, and every ac- 
cessible portion of the rocky coast put in a state 
of complete defense. Four or five hundred can- 
non, some of them thirty-two pounders, were 
mounted on the rocks and hills that commanded 
the harbor and avenues, so that the whole island 
bristled with munitions of war. The average an- 
nual charges were increased from £90,000 to 
.£242,000 for seven years. The imprisonment of 
the Corsican, therefore, cost the British govern- 
ment not less than one million pounds sterling ; 
from which they were relieved by the decease of 
their illustrious captive. May 6th, 1821. During 
the following year, the royal forces were removed, 
and the custody of the island reverted once more 
to the East India Company, in whose hands it re- 
mained until the year 1833, when, the Company 
having failed to secure a renewal of their ancient 
charter, it was finally relinquished to the crown of 
Great Britain. Since that time it has been put 
on the footing of a British colony, under the ad- 
ministration of a governor and council. It is gar- 
risoned with a battalion of riflemen, and a de- 
tachment of artillery. The fortifications are forty- 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 127 

three, defended by two hundred and forty-three 
mortars, howitzers, and guns. 

TUe brig Velox, with the first Protestant dis- 
senting missionary that had ever sailed for St. 
Helena, to live and labor among its neglected pop- 
ulation, arrived in James' Valley Bay, early on 
Monday, July 14th, 1845. The island may be 
seen at the distance of about forty miles, and then 
seems like a dense cloud, of an undulating out- 
line, just within the horizon. The night prevent- 
ed Mr. Bertram from obtaining a nearer view, un- 
til the brig had come close up to the rocky coast, 
which now frowned in gloomy grandeur almost 
overhead. A dark pile of rocks it seemed, rising 
precipitously out of the sea, roughly jagged at the 
sides, and peaked at the top, bare of verdure, with 
the exception of a small patch of moss here and 
there ; the vast mass looking like the summit of 
some lofty volcano, whose base is planted deep in 
the ocean, and rises from five hundred to twenty- 
seven hundred feet above the level of the sea. It 
forms a girdle of inaccessible precipices of basal- 
tic rocks, some of them rent to their bases, and 
presenting immense and frightful chasms of the 
most fantastic shapes that can be thought of. 

As the brig glided around the northeast corner 
of the island, in the usual track of vessels from 
" the Cape," point after point of the same grand 
and gloomy character was passed, until they came 



128 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

in sight of a small fort at the top of a rock, rising 
about five hundred feet from the sea, so abruptly, 
that a ship may pass in full sail within a few yards 
of its base. On rounding Munden's Point, below 
the fort just named, the striking panorama of 
James' Valley, on the northwest side of the isl- 
and, came full in view. Directly in front of them, 
on the right of the anchorage, rose a lofty preci- 
pice, known as " Ladder Hill," surmounted, at an 
elevation of about eight hundred feet, by fortifica- 
tions, and ascended by a circuitous road, cut with 
immense labor out of the face of the rock, for the 
convenience of carriages. The hill derives its 
name from an inclined railway, or ladder, extend- 
ing almost directly from the fort down to the land- 
ing-place, for the conveyance of provisions and 
other supplies to the summit ; which may also be 
ascended by pedestrians, although few can endure 
the fatigue. Over against this hill, another rocky 
ridge arose on the east, almost as high, called 
" Rupert's Hill." Between these two mountain- 
ous cliifs, a deep gorge was seen to extend, as 
through a natural gateway, into the interior ; 
along which, and particularly at its lower termina- 
tion, appeared a pretty cluster of white houses, 
embosomed in verdure, known as "James' Town," 
among which are seen most conspicuously the gov- 
ernor's house and an Episcopal church. 

Almost as soon as the anchor was dropped. 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 129 

Mr. James Morris — a resident of the town, to 
whom Mr. Bertram had been commended,* in a 
letter of introduction from the Rev. T. L. Hodg- 
son, Superintendent of the Wesleyan Missions in 
the Cape Colony, and who had learned by another 
arrival two days before that a missionary was 
coming — hastened on board, and, finding him, 
said, after reading Mr. Hodgson's letters — " Have 
you come here, Mr. Bertram, to preach Christ's 
Gospel?" "I have, by the will of God," was 
the prompt reply. " Do you intend to make the 
island your home ?" " I do." " And pray, sir, 
who sent you here ?" " Why, sir, I believe that 
God sent me here." " Well, my dear friend," 
said Mr. Morris, " there are only four or five 
persons on the island who know any thing about a 
work of grace in their hearts, and they have met 
twice a week for the last six months, to beseech 
God to send them a missionary to break to them 
the bread of life ; and is it possible, that God has 
already heard our poor prayers, and sent you to 
minister to us in the name of the Lord ? My 
dear sir, I cannot tell you how welcome you are." 
Mr. Morris at once bade him accompany him 
to the shore, and take up his abode with him until 
he could be better accommodated ; and his invi-- 
tation was promptly accepted. Both persons and 
goods are landed at a jetty, the only one in the 
harbor, which is provided with cranes and stairs 



130 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

for the purpose, not very well adapted, however, 
for the accommodation of either. From the land- 
ing-place, a narrow road, lined with evergreen 
trees, of the banian species, called in Bengal, the 
peepul tree, leads along the face of the perpendic- 
ular cliff, toward the gate of the fortress and 
town, at the mouth of the valley or gorge, which 
is here crossed by a strong and lofty wall, pierced 
with embrasures, and mounted with guns. Be- 
fore reaching the gate, a wide moat is crossed by 
a drawbridge. Beyond the gate the town resem- 
bles an orderly garrison; every portion of the 
gully over which it is built, and which, narrowing 
rapidly as it ascends, is nowhere more than 
six hundred yards wide, has been improved as 
much as possible. The houses are built along 
three principal streets, are generally of cut stone, 
and slated ; but are seldom more than two stories 
in height. The gateway forms one side of the 
parade-ground, which is about two hundred feet 
square, and is kept very neatly. In two of the 
streets are found numerous shops, in which are to 
be had the produce of both hemispheres and con- 
tinents. The principal street is Macadamized in 
the center, with pebble-walks on the sides, and 
extends the distance of a mile, with rows of the 
peepul tree, the most of the way, on either side. 
The scenery is altogether unique. The bold 
crags towering on either hand ; the hills far away 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 131 

up the winding road that leads into the interior ; 
and the broad expanse of ocean, the wide waste 
of waters in front, form one of the most pictur- 
esque scenes on which the eye can rest. . 

The house is shown in the town where Napoleon 
rested the first night after his landing. It is said 
to be the same that was occupied by the Duke of 
Wellington, when, on his way to India, he passed 
some weeks on the island. Singularly enough, 
Wellington was, at the time of Buonaparte's arri- 
val, in the occupation of one of the ex-emperor's 
palaces. It is also said, to have been owing to a 
suggestion of the duke's, that St. Helena was 
chosen as the prison of Napoleon, the quick eye 
of the experienced soldier having discerned how 
admirably fortified it was by nature, and could b^ 
by art. 

The coming of Mr. Bertram was soon made 
known to the little band of praying disciples at 
James' Town, who presently found him at the 
house of Mr. Morris, and with tears of joy made 
him welcome to St. Helena. Among them was 
an old soldier, who had spent his early life in the 
service of the East India Company, had for many 
years been put on the retired list, and was now 
living on a pension. Captain D. O'Connor was 
a godly man, of the Congregational denomination, 
who, for thirty years or more, had testified for 
God, like Lot in Sodom. His name and char- 



132 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

ao*er were known throughout the tropics. He 
corresponded with good men abroad, and, among 
others, with the Rev. Rufus Anderson, D.D., of 
Boston, one of the Secretaries of the A. B. C. of 
Foreign Missions, from whom he used to receive, 
with the Annual Report of the American Board, 
a package of religious tracts, which he and his 
good lady took pleasure in distributing among the 
Europeans on the island. This valiant old soldier 
of the Cross, like blessed Simeon of old, was wait- 
ing for the consolation of Israel. He had attained 
a good age, and, like the ancient.patriarch, "" wor- 
shiped, leaning upon the top of his staff." 

It was a joyful day to Captain O'Connor, when 
with his own eyes he beheld the missionary of the 
Cross, who had come to gather in Christ's scat- 
tered sheep, and to make St. Helena his home. 
Doubtless he said in his heart — " Lord ! now 
lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for 
mine eyes have seen thy salvation." Grasping 
Mr. Bertram by the hand, and with moistened 
eyes, he said — '•' I have long been praying, my 
dear sir, that some missionary of the Cross might 
be sent to preach to this perishing population. 
And now the day begins to dawn !" During the 
remaining twelve or fifteen months of his life, he 
continued the devoted friend of the missionary, 
and died, blessing God for all the good that he 
had lived to see accomplished. 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 133 

Preparations were made for. a sermon on the 
evening of the next day, Tuesday, at the house of 
Mr. Morris. The large dining-room, where the 
praying band had been wont to meet, was seated 
so as to hold about sixty persons, and was filled 
with an intelligent congregation of whites, to whom 
Mr. Bertram preached from Acts xvi., 14, 15 : 
" And a certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of 
purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshiped 
God, heard us; whose heart the Lord opened, 
that she attended unto the things which were 
spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, 
and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye 
have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come 
into my house, and abide there. And she con- 
strained us." It was a word in season, and high- 
ly appropriate to the occasion. 

He told them that the natural heart, univer- 
sally, is closed against its Maker and Lord ; that 
God had a key by which to open the heart, a 
wonder-working key; the plan, the shape, the 
design of which were devised in the counsels of 
heaven from eternity, and finished on earth, in 
Gethsemane and Calvary, when the Saviour of 
mankind travailed in the greatness of His strength, 
and gave birth to the world's redemption ; that 
God had already opened millions of hearts with 
this key, and could as many more ; and that he 
had brought that key — "the glorious gospel of 
12 



184 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

the blessed God"' — with him from the Cape of 
Good Hope, in the hope that He, who had there- 
with opened the heart of Lydia, would open the 
hearts also of many of the St. Helenians. 

It was evident, from the number attending this 
first service, and the interest manifested by the 
audience, that a larger room would be needed. 
It pleased God to put it into the heart of an ex- 
cellent lady, Mrs. Janisch, to open her parlor for 
the use of the missionary. She was the widow of 
the late Dutch consul, from whom she had been 
separated about twenty months. Her house was 
one of the largest in town, and she herself of the 
first respectability. Mr. Bertram very gratefully 
waited upon her, and arranged for a service there 
on Friday evening. Information of the appoint- 
ment having been generally circulated, the place, 
large as it was, would not hold the people who 
came together to hear the word of God. It was 
a style of preaching to which they had never lis- 
tened on that island. The chaplains, who alone 
had officiated there, were of the Church of Eng- 
land, and their preaching destitute of power and 
life, if not of godliness. When the people, there- 
fore, heard a minister of Christ, pouring forth a 
burning stream of gospel-truth upon his hearers, 
they were most deeply interested. The Spirit of 
God appeared to be at work at the very first ser- 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 135 

vice, Stirring up the sinner to think, and feel, and 
pray. 

The great respectability of Mrs. Janisch, at 
whose house Mr. Bertram was permitted to hold 
his religious services on the Sabbath, as well as 
at other times, operated very favorably upon his 
enterprise. In that portion of the world, and 
generally in the British colonies, a wide chasm 
separates the crown officers and their families, 
from the households of the mechanics and trades- 
men. Not seldom they have no more dealings 
one with another, in matters of social intercourse, 
than had the Jews and Samaritans of old. The 
former pride themselves on their education, official 
position, and fortune. They are the aristocracy ; 
far more consequential than the same class at the 
court of St. James, and more difficult of approach. 
When Mr. Bertram was introduced, by a minis- 
ter of the gospel, in a book-store at Boston, to his 
Excellency, Governor Briggs, and saw nothing 
but a plain Yankee farmer, in appearance, dressed 
and demeaning himself like any other man, and 
neither exacting nor receiving any other testimoni- 
als of respect from his fellow-citizens than are 
paid to one another in the ordinary intercourse of 
well-bred gentlemen ; and afterward, at Pitts- 
field, Massachusetts, was sought out by the gov- 
ernor, and invited to his hospitable mansion, 
U^ where the door was opened by his son, and his 



136 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

reception was as frank and genial as if he had 
been an intimate friend of the family ; he could 
scarcely believe his own senses ; it was so entirely 
different from the cold, stately, ceremonious, and 
frequently pompous receptions of colonial govern- 
ors, who seem to regard themselves as representa- 
tives of Imperial Majesty, and bound to keep 
themselves at a respectful distance from men of 
non-official dignity. 

In justice, however, to a most worthy servant 
of the British crown, it should be said, that his 
Excellency, Lieutenant-Colonel Hamilton Tre- 
LAWNY, the Governor of St. Helena, showed no 
little kindness to Mr. Bertram, and proved him- 
self a gentleman in every sense of the word. 
During the trials to which the missionary was 
subjected subsequently, he threw around him the 
shield of his official protection, and, at his death, 
some two years after the commencement of the 
mission, Mr. Bertram mourned as for a father 
departed. Owing, in part at least, to the coun- 
tenance given by the governor, whose daughter, 
with her husband, became an attendant on his 
ministry, he obtained a hearing from the most re- 
spectable families in the town. 

Very shortly after he began to preach at the 
house of Mrs. Janisch, he learned from this 
worthy widow, that she was greatly distressed on 
account of her eldest son, Hudson, who, at his 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 137 

father's decease, had been left, next to his mother, 
in charge of the family. For some time he had 
proved a worthy helper to his widowed parent, 
but latterly had associated with giddy young men, 
was becoming addicted to late hours, and some- 
what skeptical. She wished Mr. Bertram to em- 
brace a favorable opportunity of counseling him 
in private. He had been absent in the interior, 
on a frolic, when his mother's house was first 
opened for preaching. On his return the next 
morning, he remonstrated with his mother, on the 
impropriety of making her parlor "a meeting- 
house," and somewhat angrily insisted on her 
withdrawing the permission that she had given. 
To this she could by no means give her assent ; 
but said : " You must come yourself, my son, 
and hear the missionary, and if you should not be 
pleased, it will be a very easy matter for us to 
say, that it will no longer be convenient to open 
our house for preaching." 

On the Sabbath, July 20th5 Mr. Bertram 
preached at nine o'clock, a.m. ; the hour having 
been appointed so as not to conflict with the ser- 
vice in the church at a quarter to eleven o'clock ; 
and so deep was the impression, that almost the 
whole congregation were in tears. Mr. Hudson 
R. Janisch was present. At the close of the 
service, he met his mother in the drawing-room, 
and said : " Do not say any thing, mother, to Mr. 



138 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

Bertram about not preaching here again. Those 
are solemn things we have heard this morning." 
He retired to his chamber, with the arrows of 
conviction rankling in his heart, and began to 
weep and pray. Not long after, he called at the 
house of Mr. Morris, (at whose dwelling Mr. Ber- 
tram was entertained as a most welcome guest, 
free of charge, for several weeks after his arrival,) 
made known to the missionary the distress of his 
soul, and was gladly instructed by him in the 
way of salvation. About five weeks from that 
time, he found "joy and peace in believing," at 
a prayer-meeting held at the house of the only 
American lady on the island. 

The conversion of Mr. Janisch was soon noised 
abroad, and produced a deep sensation. He was 
universally regarded as not having his superior, 
for talents and education, among the young men 
of St. Helena. No expense had been spared, by 
his deceased father, in preparing him for public 
life. He occupied a place of distinguished trust 
in the employ of the government. The Home 
dispatches mostly passed through his hands, and, 
it was supposed, proceeded in some cases from 
his own pen. His appearance was also very pre- 
possessing, being tall and of good proportions. 
Having found peace with God, he gave himself 
fully to the service of his Maker, and cast in his 
influence with that of Mr. Bertram, to whom he 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 139 

afterward became an invaluable helper. His 
noble mother, who moved in the highest circles of 
society, had hitherto been a stranger to experi- 
mental piety. But He, who opened the heart of 
Lydia, opened the eyes and heart of her who had 
opened her doors for His ambassador, and she too 
was soon found among the happy subjects of re- 
deeming grace. Salvation literally came to her 
house, and several of her family were brought into 
the kingdom of Christ. Three daughters, also, 
of Captain Pritchard, one of whom has since be- 
come the wife of Mr. Janisch, were also brought 
to believe in Christ, and, with many otheie, in 
similar circles, to rejoice in hope of the glory of 
God. A blessed revival of religion had com- 
menced, which resulted, within a few weeks, in 
the hopeful conversion of about fifty souls. 

A few days after the arrival of Mr. Bertram, 
inquiry having been made as to the Missionary 
Society by whom he had been sent to the island, 
and the fact having been made known, that he 
came at his own charges, and received no salary 
from any source whatever, several individuals 
drew up and subscribed the following paper : 

" James' Town, St. Helena, July 2Zd, 1845. 

" Dear Sir : 

" Having understood that it is your intention to 
request Mrs. Bertram and children (with the 



140 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

blessing of the Almighty), to join you upon the 
return of the brig ' Velox ' to this island — We, 
the undersigned, your friends and sincere well- 
wishers, being desirous that your sojourn among 
us should be more permanent than it otherwise 
would be, if separated from your wife and family, 
beg, in furtherance of your intention, to present 
you with the amount affixed opposite our respec- 
tive names, which we earnestly hope will meet 
with your acceptance. 

" We beg to offer our sincere wishes for the 
health and happiness of yourself, Mrs. Bertram, 
and children, and that your residence among us 
may be mutually beneficial to yourself, and, dear 
sir, 
" Your sincere Friends and Well-wishers." 

This very complimentary note, written only 
nine days after his arrival, was signed by Captain 
O'Connor, Messrs. S. & J. Scott, Mr. W. Car- 
roll, U. S. Consul, Messrs. T. Charlett, J, Elliot, 
and H. R. Janisch, with Mrs. Galbraith and 
several others ; and the sum presented was <£20, 
or about one hundred dollars. Captain Adams, 
of the Velox, very generously offered a free pas- 
sage to Mrs. Bertram and her two children, as he 
had to her husband ; and about the middle of 
September, they embarked at Cape Town, on the 
Velox, for St. Helena, where they arrived about 



LIFE AT ST, HELENA. 141 

the first of October, and were welcomed by a host 
of ardent friends, whom God had raised up for the 
missionary and his family. 

The house of Mrs. Janisch served to accommo- 
date the increasing congregation for a short time 
only. The blessing of God had so manifestly 
rested on the undertaking from the very day of 
Mr. Bertram's landing, as to make it evident, 
that a permanent and more commodious place of 
worship must be procured. He was under the 
necessity of making the appeal — " The place is 
too strait for me ; give place to me, that I may 
dwell." Application was made, but without suc- 
cess, for the use of one of the public schools. 
Better success attended the request for the use of 
a school-room, occupied by Mr. Thompson, the 
teacher of a private school ; but this, which they 
could use only in the evening of other days than 
the Sabbath, also proved insufficient. Yet 
thronged as were the places of their assembling 
together, so much so that the people frequently 
crowded around the doors and windows, and stood 
in the open streets to hear the word of God, they 
were not able to furnish themselves with better 
accommodations for about ten weeks. 

It was determined to call a meeting of the 
friends of the enterprise, on the 30th of July, only 
sixteen days after Mr. Bertram's arrival, to con- 
sult on the propriety of securing the erection or 



142 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

purchase of a mission house. Of this meeting, 
Mr. Janisch, who was appointed its secretary, 
gave the following account, two days after, in a 
letter to "the Rev. George Morgan, of Cape 
Town : 

" St. Helena, 1st August, 1845. 

" Rev. Sir : 

" It affords me much pleasure to inform you, that 
the views of yourself and worthy supporters, in 
sending the Rev. Mr. Bertram among us, have 
met with great success, and bid fair to be attend- 
ed with a prosperity worthy of the cause. In 
furtherance of your intentions, a subscription has 
been set on foot for raising the means of building 
a mission house (or chapel), and on the first 
meeting for the purpose, <£163 were subscribed, 
and, we have every reason to add, with a readi- 
ness and cheerfulness highly gratifying to every 
one truly interested in the good cause. 

" It was also proposed, and carried by unani- 
mous assent, that our most heartfelt and sincere 
thanks be conveyed to yourself and the other 
friends associated with you, who have so liberally 
furnished the means, under God, for the coming 
of our reverend friend among us. 

" I doubt not you will be highly gratified to 
know, that our worthy governor's family attended 
a meeting held last evening ; as their countenance 
of it must undoubtedly liave great influence over 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 143 

the many, who are guided by example even more 
than precept, and will tend greatly to remove any 
unfounded prejudice which may exist. 

" Trusting you will convey to your friends the 
united thanks which I have been requested to 
tender you, and with a confident hope of the con- 
tinuance of their support, I have the honor to re- 
main, etc." 

At this meeting, Mr. Carroll proposed that a 
sum of £500 be raised, for the purpose of pro- 
viding for the congregation a place of worship ; 
and a committee, consisting of Captain O'Con- 
nor, Thomas Charlett, Esq., Messrs. William 
Carroll, Hudson R. Janisch, and five others, was 
appointed to ascertain what could be done for the 
accommodation of the worshipers. As their ne- 
cessities were urgent, and they- could not wait un- 
til a building could be erected for their use, they 
were authorized to procure the largest stone edi- 
fice in the town that could be purchased. A large 
stone dwelling-house in the central part of the 
town, directly opposite the officers' barracks, be- 
longing to a lady in India, was purchased of her 
agent for ^£550, subject to the ratification of the 
owner. Possession was immediately given, on the 
condition of an annual rent, should the owner re- 
fuse them the privilege of purchase. 

Measures were at once taken to alter, repair. 



144 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

and furnish the building, for the two-fold purpose 
of a house of worship, and a dwelling-place for the 
missionary and his family. All this, however, 
could not be accomplished in less than about two 
months. 

In the mean time, Mr. Bertram continued at 
his work.* After the novelty of the occasion had 
passed, and the evangelical style and matter of 
his preaching became more fully known, some of 
his early hearers began to be offended- " From 
that time many of his disciples went back, and 
walked no more v^^ith him." This defection of 
some of the families of the place arose from the 
opposition made to him by the ecclesiastical au- 
thorities of the town. 

' The colony was provided with two clergymen 
of the Church of England, in the pay of the gov- 
ernment, with large salaries, one of whom was 
called the colonial, and the other, the military 
chaplain. The former ministered to the Euro- 
pean residents, and the other to the soldiers. 
They were both of the Oxford School, and fully 
embraced the Romanizing doctrines of Dr. Pu- 
sey and the Tractarians. They were great stick- 
lers for the dogmas of apostolical succession, con- 
substantiation, baptismal regeneration, and the 
opus operatum of the sacraments. They were, 

* See Appendix, A 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 145 

as a matter of course, greatly alarmed, when they 
heard that a dissenting preacher had come to take 
up his abode on the island ; and still more so, 
when Sabbath after Sabbath, and night after 
night, they saw the people flocking to hear him. 
They endeavored to dissuade the community from 
giving him any countenance. But when they pre- 
vailed nothing, and it appeared as if the whole 
town would go after him, they proclaimed in pri- 
vate and in public, that " the Church was in dan- 
ger.'' To this it was very properly replied, that 
if such was really the case, it could not be Christ's 
Church ; for that never was, and never will be, in 
danger. Christ had promised that the gates of 
hell should never prevail against it. 

Several of the Oxford Tracts were put into free 
circulation ; particularly the Tract of Archdea- 
con Wilberforce, on " Disunion." The cry of 
" Schism !" was now raised, and the people were 
told, that it was a grievous sin against God and 
His Church, to attend upon the ministry of a man, 
on whose head the apostolical hands of some lord 
bishop had never been laid; that such a man, 
whatever he might pretend, and however he might 
find favor with men, could find no favor with God, 
was no minister of Christ, and nothing better than 
a wolf in sheep's clothing, a minister of Satan, an 
impostor. They warned the people, to stand 
aloof from him, lest they also should partake in 
13 



146 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

the plagues which were sure, sooner or later, to 
come upon him and his adherents. They bade 
the people bring their children to them to be duly 
regenerated, made members of Christ's body, and 
inheritors of the kingdom of heaven, in the waters 
of holy baptism ; and assured them, that if their 
children died without this ordinance, they could 
never be saved ; and their bodies could be buried 
only in the shades of evening, or by night. 

But none of these things moved him, against 
whom they were aimed, from his purpose of preach- 
ing the unsearchable riches of Christ. Contro- 
versy was avoided, and the truth plainly and point- 
edly preached. The work of grace ceased not, 
" and believers were the more added to the 
Lord.'' 

The mission house was completed, and set 
apart for the worship of God, early in October. 
The services of dedication were graciously owned 
of God, and attended with the deepest interest by 
a crowded assembly. The following letter, writ- 
ten on the 8th of November to a friend at Cape 
Town, and published in the Cape Magazine for 
January, 1846, makes mention of this event, and 
gives other interesting particulars of the progress 
of the good work : 

" Five weeks ago we entered into the new mis- 
sion house, a very neat and comfortable place in 
every sense of the word. So much zeal and en- 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 147 

ergy had been displayed by the then few friends 
of Mr. Bertram, to procure this place, and make 
it suitable as a place of worship, that, on the day 
it was opened, Mr. Bertram was quite overcome 
with joy that the Lord had thus prospered him, 
and provided a place where prayer should in fu- 
ture be made. All the service was beautifully ap- 
propriate. The afternoon's discourse was an ex- 
position of the word ' Gospel ;' and, I can assure 
you, the hearts of many appeared touched. The 
room is calculated to hold three hundred persons, 
and during the last three weeks many have not 
been able to find a seat. It is open every evening 
in the week, Mondays excepted, and a Bethel it is 
indeed. As the attendance increased, it was pro- 
posed that a certain sum should be raised for Mr. 
Bertram's support, and in less than a week <£100 
were subscribed ; and it is supposed that the mis.- 
sion-box will yield about .£50 more per annum ! 
This you would call great doings, could you but 
witness the shameful opposition and party-spirit 
prevalent here. Many persons are convinced of 
sin, and some of influence are among those who 
are show^ing their faith by their works. The great 
interest in things spiritual felt by the soldiers is 
surprising. About twenty of them went to Mr. 
Bertram on Monday last, and asked permission to 
have an unfinished room in his yard as a place for 
prayer. Mr. Bertram immediately consented. 



148 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

and, during their hours for meals, they are en 
gaged, heart and hand, in getting the room in or- 
der." 

Another letter, written about two months later, 
and published in the Gape Magazine for March, 
1846, after giving an account of the interesting 
exercises in the chapel on Christmas Day, and on 
New Year's Eve, which were very much thronged, 
and deeply solemn, adds the following : 

" Mr. Bertram's ministry is assuredly crowned 
with success ; and, I trust, he -has, and will have, 
souls to his hire in this place. You would be 
pleased with our neat little chapel, and the com- 
modious dwelling occupied by the minister ; truly 
it seems peculiarly adapted in every respect, and 
to have come into the hands of the committee as 
of God's providing. 

" Wonders have been done at St. Helena with- 
in the last few months, which, had any one fore- 
told a year ago, he would have found skeptical 
hearers ; yet I fear poor temporal support is to 
be found for Mr. Bertram on this barren spot. 
Of this he seems totally regardless, assured that 
the ' Lord will provide' as long as he is engaged 
in his Master's work. The will is not wanting, 
I firmly believe, among his hearers ; but they are, 
almost all, of the poorest of the community. 
Should help be wanting, I do hope our neighbor 
Colony, who so kindly and nobly came forward to 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 149 

send the man of God to us, will not withhold fur- 
ther aid. 

" A good work has commenced among the sol- 
diers, to some of whom Mr. Bertram's ministry 
has been greatly blessed. The chapel is situated 
just opposite the lower end of the officers' parade, 
close to the barracks. An outer room of the 
building, to which there is access, without any in- 
terference with the dwelling, Mr. Bertram allows 
the soldiers exclusively for their own use ; it is so 
close to their barracks, that they can hear the 
slightest bugle call, and is, consequently, pecu- 
liarly convenient to them. They repair there at 
any and all hours, when not on duty, for private 
or for social prayer. If they have but a few min- 
utes to spare, they can thus turn it to the best ac- 
count. They have stated meetings for religious 
exercises, also ; two pious sergeants are among 
them. These two were at first the only soldiers 
that attended the chapel, but two or three at a 
time have become anxious about their eternal in- 
terests, and there are now more than a dozen al- 
tered characters among them, some of whom there 
is every reason to believe are savingly converted. 
The colored people also flock to hear, and Mr. 
Bertram's visits among the sick have been much 
blessed. What a blossoming in this moral wil- 
derness ! ' It is the Lord's doing, and wondrous 
in our eyes.' " 



150 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

The good work of grace that was thus begun at 
James' Town, was not confined to that narrow val- 
ley. Other portions of the island were still more 
in need of the missionary's attentions. The pop- 
ulation is considerably dispersed, and many of 
them quite remote from the seat of government. 
Their number is about seven thousand, of whom 
about two thousand are whites, or of European 
origin ; of these, from five to seven hundred are 
attached to the army. Something like one thou- 
sand liberated Africans, brought in by the Brit- 
ish cruisers from captured slave-ships, who have 
chosen to remain, by the consent of the governor, 
are employed as hired servants. Slavery, of 
course, does not exist. It was in the process of 
extinction before the passing of the British Eman- 
cipation Act, by which every slave in the British 
Empire obtained his freedom. 

In addition, there are about four thousand na- 
tives. These are the descendants of the first set- 
tlers — Portuguese, East Indians, Africans, and 
British soldiers — who for several generations have 
been intermingled in almost every variety, and 
formed a race peculiar to the island, of a dark 
copper-color. These were all in a state of bond- 
age formerly, and were left, after their emancipa- 
tion, in the same miserable state of spiritual ig- 
norance in which they and their fathers had been 
kept, generation after generation. In some cases 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 151 

tlie African blood predominates ; but in other in- 
stances, and for the most part, they have long, 
glossy black hair, like the American Indians, and 
expressive features. These last are generally 
possessed of considerable intelligence and shrewd- 
ness, and are capable of a high degree of cultiva- 
tion. 

Not long after Mr. Bertram's arrival, and while 
he was breasting the waves of ecclesiastical oppo- 
sition, he was waited upon by Captain Maple- 
ton, the principal magistrate of the island, who 
gave him a hearty welcome, and said, " I am glad 
to see you here on our island, Mr. Bertram, 
preaching the gospel of Christ. If any part of 
the world needs the gospel, we need it here. But 
3^ou do not intend, I trust, to confine your labors 
to the town. Come over, sir, to Sandy Bay Val- 
ley, where T live, and where there is a great num- 
ber of natives, who never in all their lives heard a 
gospel sermon in their valley. Come over, and 
preach to those poor neglected souls ; and when 
3^ou come, put up at my house. My lady will be 
glad to see you, and will make you as comfortable 
as possible. I am not a religious man myself; 
but I truly respect religion, and know that I ought 
to possess it. It would give me pleasure to see 
all our population put in possession of its bless- 
ings.'^ 

A call so earnest, from the honored lips of so 



152 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

worthy a magistrate, was not to be slighted. Mr. 
Bertram conferred about it with Mr. Thomas 
Charlett, a respectable merchant in James' Town, 
and one of the first fruits of his ministry in St. 
Helena ; and he said, " Yes, Mr^ Bertram, go ; 
it is just the very thing that should be done. Go, 
and I will go with you ; I will order a couple of 
horses, and we '11 ride over to Sandy Bay, as Cap- 
tain Mapleton desires. I know a respectable and 
worthy couple there, William Lambe and his wife, 
who live on the produce of a fine garden, about in 
the center of the valley, who v/ill be very glad to 
see you. I think that they will let j^ou have the 
use of a part of their new house in which to make 
a commencement." 

It Avas the morning of a beautiful day in sum- 
mer — December or January — when Messrs. Ber- 
tram and Charlett mounted their steeds, and set 
forth on their benevolent excursion across the 
island. In a few minutes they were climbing the 
steeps of Ladder Hill, on the right of the town 
and bay. No little nerve is required in passing 
over this precipitous road, that in most places is 
cut out of the side of the hill, and supported on 
the outer side by almost perpendicular walls. 
About half way up the hill, the zig-zag path is 
blasted out of the rocks, and is completely over- 
hung by large masses of stone, which seem to be 
destitute of a sufficient prop, and threaten the 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 153 

passer-by with an instant crash, and hopeless de- 
struction. This remarkable and fearful pass is 
called " Col. Pearce's Revenge." 

At the summit of the hill, a sublime prospect 
presents itself to the visitor. The mighty ocean, 
stretching far away to the north and west, vast, 
boundless, fathomless, ever in motion, ever chang- 
ing, and yet ever the same, lies at your feet : 

" Glorious mirror ! where tlie Almiglity's form 
Glasses itself in tempests ; in all time. 
Calm or convulsed — in breeze, or gale, or storm, 
Dark-heaving; boundless, endless, and sublime, 
The image of eternity — the throne 
Of the Invisible." 

The town, at the base of the hill, and the gorge 
in which it lies, has a very pretty, neat, and 
cheerful appearance, as seen from the summit. 
The fortifications, with which the hill is crowned, 
are admirably constructed, and completely com- 
mand the anchorage and the town. 

Leaving Ladder Hill, the road winds a little 
east of south, over low hills, and through majestic 
prickly pears, dwarf junipers, and scattered for- 
ests of firs ; among which may be seen flocks of 
sheep, goats, and swine, with vast numbers of do- 
mestic fowls feeding on the tender herbage. The 
surface of the interior is exceedingly uneven. The 
plains are few, and of small extent. Hills and 
mountainous peaks are seen on every hand, some 



154 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

of them crowned with the dark and dense foliage 
of the redwood, stringwood, dogwood, Australian 
willow, and the cabbage-tree, with its beautiful and 
showy white blossoms, as large as the cauliflower ; 
while their sides frequently present beautiful slopes 
of pasture, and patches under cultivation. At short 
intervals, very tasteful cottages and country seats 
appear, embosomed in verdure, and surrounded 
with gardens, whose flowers — among which the 
beautiful white bells of the moon-plant appear 
conspicuous — fill the atmosphere with their deli- 
cious odors. Occasionally a glimpse is caught, 
through the deep gorges, and abrupt ravines, and 
precipitous chasms of the rocky substratum, of the 
surging ocean dashing against the storm-lashed 
rocks, and stretching far away to the dim and un- 
varied horizon. The hedges, by which the farms 
are bordered, are adorned with a pleasing variety 
of wild flowers, while the fields are carpeted with 
luxuriant grass, in the midst of which the most 
graceful plants are ever blooming. 

Passing over a depression called " Half-Tree 
Hollow," the road leads across another elevation, 
known as "Red Hill," and along the base of 
"High Knoll," which rises on the left 1,903 
feet above the sea. From this point, the central 
portions of the island are seen to great advantage. 
At a short distance on the left, in a northeasterly 
direction, romantically situated at the head of the 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 155 

ravine, on which James' Town is built, is the 
pretty cottage, called " the Briars," where Na- 
poleon took up his temporary abode, the day after 
his landing, with its owner and occupant, Mr. 
Balcombe, and remained, secluded from observa- 
tion, until the premises at Longwood, in the north- 
eastern quarter of the island, were put in order 
for his accommodation. Here he dwelt from Oc- 
tober 17th to December 9th, 1815, at which time 
he removed to his future home. The grounds 
attached to the cottage are about ten acres in ex- 
tent, and are laid out in beautiful walks and beds 
of flowers, giving to the place an air of decided 
comfort and repose, rendered still more lovely by 
contrast with the arid and irregularly-precipitous 
rocks of the ravine, which thence finds its way to 
James' Town and the ocean. 

To the right of High Knoll, and of the Sandy 
Bay Road, stretches off toward the setting sun, 
a beautiful slope of ground, appropriated to the 
use of the government. Here is the official resi- 
dence of his Excellency, the Governor, called 
" Plantation House." It is a most delightful 
spot, and cultivated with the greatest care. The 
vrounds are laid out with taste, and adorned with 
fivery variety of shrubbery. Some of the choicest 
shade and fruit-trees of Europe are seen growing 
here, side by side with the stately palm of India, 
and other trees of tropical climes. The gardens 



156 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

abound with the most charming flowers, and the 
house is surrounded by the most pleasing walks 
and drives. It was the only place which the 
British government excepted in the selection of a 
residence for their imperial prisoner. 

From the base of High Knoll, the road runs a 
little to the west of south, and then southerly to 
an elevation called " Sandy Bay Ridge," which 
overlooks the valley of Sandy Bay on the south. 
Far away to the east, "Diana's Peak" lifts its 
majestic head to the heavens,, and attains the 
height of 2,700 feet, overlooking, in its peerless 
elevation, every other point on the island, and 
commanding an uninterrupted prospect of the 
boundless ocean, north, east, south, and west. 
From the sides of this mountain, are seen oozing 
out, in numerous places, cooling streams of the 
purest and sweetest water, spreading fertility over 
the island, and refreshing, not only the residents, 
but the thousands of mariners who resort hither 
for supplies. The prospect, by moonlight, from 
the sides of the mountain, is spoken of with delight 
by every visitor. So clear and bright is the light 
of the mooft, as to make it easy to read the small- 
est print. All along the base of the mountain, 
in the valley, grows the pure white Egyptian lily, 
called the calla. Seen by the silvery light of a 
South Atlantic moon, these callas appear like 
starry spots on the verdant plain; and the behold- 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 157 

er seems to stand between two firmaments, above 
and below, in mid-heaven. 

In passing over Sandy Bay Ridge, whose sum- 
mit rises a short distance from the road, the vis- 
itor leaves on the right, at a somewhat greater 
distance, toward the southwestern extremity of 
the island, another elevated point called " High 
Peak," but little inferior to Diana's Peak. It is 
the termination of a calcareous ridge, which 
stretches across the island from east to west, di- 
viding it into two unequal parts. The northern 
portion is much the largest, and the most valuable. 
It embraces, interspersed with curious and roman- 
tic knolls and hills, besides the valley of James' 
Town and Plantation House already described, 
the Plain of Longwood, Rupert's Valley, the 
crater-like dell, called '*The Devil's Punch-bowl," 
" Lemon Valley," and other interesting spots, 
where the principal residents have built their coun- 
try residences, and where they live in an almost 
perpetual summer, or rather spring. The southern 
portion of the island is much less extensive. The 
range of hills, which border it on the north, slope 
somewhat abruptly to the south, and overlook a 
most lovely rolling valley, famed for its coffee 
plantations, extending about four miles from east 
to west, and about two miles in breadth, to the 
rock-bound shore of the Atlantic. It is the valley 
of Sandy Bay. The latter is the only spot on the 
14 



158 LIFE AT ST. HELENA* 

southern shore, from which the interior of the 
island can be reached* It was, therefore, put 
under the closest scrutiny by the government, 
during the confinement of Napoleon, and the ap- 
proach guarded by frowning batteries. 

The descent to this valley is not easily accom- 
plished. The road winds around the sides of the 
precipitous hills, and in many places is both steep 
and dangerous. But the visitor is amply compen- 
sated for his occasional fears, and the fatigue of 
his journey, by constant developments of the ever- 
changing loveliness of the scenery. 

At the hospitable dwelling of Mr. Lambe, Mr. 
Bertram and his companion received a hearty 
welcome, and soon obtained the consent of himself 
and wife to the proposition for holding religious 
services at their house. They had recently erect- 
ed a new edifice for their own use, which was yet 
hardly finished. A part of this house, it was ar- 
ranged, was to be open statedly for the worship 
of God, and the accommodation of the inhabitants 
of that section of the island, who could be induced 
to attend upon the ministrations of the word of 
God. The house was built on a rocky elevation, 
at the left of a singular conical mountain, a thou- 
sand feet high, called " Old Lot," and about a 
mile to the east of another group, called " Lot's 
Wife, and her Children." Adjacent to the house 
is a fine garden, where, beneath the fig-trees, 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 159 

peach-trees, guava-trees, and majestic bananas, 
or plantains, the visitors walked or reclined in the 
refreshing shade, and partook of the pleasant and 
excellent fruit. 

The first sermon ever preached in Sandy Bay 
Valley, was delivered by Mr. Bertram, on a 
Thursday evening, at the house of Mr. Lambe, on 
the occasion of the visit just described. From 
that time forward, he ordinarily preached at Sandy 
Bay, once or twice every week ; generally on 
Thursday evening, and every Sabbath afternoon. 
Afterward, when Mr. Janisch began to preach, 
service was also held there every Sabbath morn- 
ing. 

The effort thus happily begun, was attended by 
the Divine favor, and followed with His blessing. 
The poor neglected population of this remote val- 
ley, for whose spiritual welfare none had cared, 
were grateful to the missionary for his kind ser- 
vices, and flocked to hear the word with delight. 
Not a few of them were led to see their need of a 
Saviour, and to cry to God for mercy. 

But no sooner was it known that the despised 
band of dissenters were beginning to spread them- 
selves over the island, and to carry the message 
of salvation to its farthest shores, than the stick- 
lers for " the Church" were seized with alarm. 
All at once they made the discovery that there 
were souls to be cared for in the secluded valleys 



160 LIFE AT ST. HELENA, 

of St. Helena. At the entrance of Sandy Bay 
Valley is a school-room, most eligibly located for 
a place of worship. Mr. Bertram had applied to 
the authorities for permission to use it, as occa- 
sion offered, for the worship of God, but had 
been denied. Very soon, however, after he had 
begun to preach at Mr. Lambe's house, one of the 
parochial clergymen made arrangements for a 
stated religious service at this very school-room, 
and at the very hour when Mr. Bertram usually 
preached. As the people, in their simplicity, pre- 
ferred to go where they could learn the way of 
salvation, and have their hearts warmed with long- 
ing desires after God and heaven, although they 
were warned of the awful danger of schism, and 
told to beware of the damning sin of setting up 
another altar, and substituting a conventicle for 
the church of God, the liturgy was often read in 
the hearing of a very small and uninterested au- 
dience. Pains were, therefore, taken by some of 
the adherents of " the Church," to station indi- 
viduals" in the ways," and to accost the natives, 
as they passed along to Mr. Lambe's house, with 
entreaties, promises, warnings, and threats, to in- 
duce them to forsake the schismatical preacher, and 
show themselves good Christians and churchmen, 
by joining with the congregation at the school- 
room. This course of conduct, so intolerant and 
sectarian, so worthy of scorn and reprobation by 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 161 

every true follower of Christ, was applauded by 
the Church party and their priests, as evidence 
of the piety and zeal of their bigoted adherents. 

To carry forward this opposition, required more 
exertion than the two chaplains, so long used to 
the easy, quiet way of their class, were willing 
to put forth. An assistant was needed. Word 
must be sent to England that the Church is in 
danger, and another full-fledged Tractarian cler- 
gyman must be sent out, not only to preach on 
the Sabbath to the natives, but to lecture during 
the week, to keep a school for instruction in the 
higher branches of learning, and to visit the poor. 
Public meetings were called, and a sufficient sal- 
ary readily subscribed by the officials, and the 
zealous churchmen of the town. 

Several months passed, and the long-expected 
Oxonian arrived. Great was the expectation, 
and loud the exultation, of the party in power, at 
the success of their application. This new suc- 
cessor of the apostles, or rather, candidate for the 
succession, was quite a curious specimen of cler- 
ical sufficiency. Dressed according to the latest 
Oxford fashion, in the cut of the ecclesiologistical 
school, he stepped on shore, and very condescend- 
ingly suffered himself to be escorted by some of 
the residents to the lodgings that awaited him in 
his new home. Whether short-sighted in real- 
ity, as his frequent use of an eye-glass would indi- 



162 LIFE AT ST, HELENA. 

cate, or not, he certainly proved himself exceed- 
ingly short-sighted in leaving the academical 
shades of old Oxford for the tropical sky of James' 
Town. 

It was soon found, that he bad no more dispo- 
sition than his two elder brethren in the priest- 
hood, to make himself one of the people, to go 
out into the highways and hedges, the lanes and 
alleys, and gather in guests for the gospel-supper, 
to instruct the young in useful knowledge, or to 
preach the acceptable year of the Lord. He 
could read the liturgy with a grace, and pro- 
nounce "a beautiful, pious sermon" of some fif- 
teen or twenty minutes' length ; he knew all the 
attitudes and gestures, and could display a jeAV- 
eled finger, and a lilj^-white hand to admiration, 
but nothing further in the way of winning souls. 
The subscribers to the salary, and the petition- 
ers to " my Lord" of London, were alike morti- 
fied. They had evidently " paid too dear for the 
whistle." A brief period sufiiced to convince this 
scion of Oxford that he was out of his place, and 
to determine him to leave St. Helena to her own 
fate. Great was the relief to the instigators of 
the Quixotic undertaking, when their hero bade 
farewell to " the Rock of the Ocean," and re- 
turned the way that he came, to expatiate in a 
wider field, and in more hopeful circles of so- 
ciety. 



LIFE AT ST. Hti.uE.NA, 168 

These anti-evangelical movements were not en- 
tirely without their designed effect. Some, who 
at first came to hear Mr. Bertram, and appeared 
to be interested in his preaching, withdrew from 
his meetings. Some were intimidated by threats 
of being discarded from service, and others were 
flattered with the attentions of those to whom 
they had been wont to look up as to beings of a 
superior order. The minds of some were stag- 
gered for a time, and they knew not what to be- 
lieve. 

But this state of uncertainty did not long con- 
tinue. Prayer, unceasing, was offered to God ; 
and, in season and out of season, Mr. Bertram and 
his brethren labored to pour the light of eternal 
truth into the darkened understandings of these 
perishing islanders. Their prayers were heard ; 
their labors were not in vain. The word of God 
took effect. One and another began to weep for 
sin, and to cry, " What shall I do to be saved'?" 
The showers of divine grace began to descend. 
The well-watered S3ed began to spring up, and 
bear fruit to the glory of God. The gracious in- 
fluences were diffused throughout the valley ; un- 
til scarcely a house could be found, in that part 
of the island, in which there was not some one 
soul rejoicing in hope of the glory of God ; while 
in some habitations, two, three, and even more 
"were raising their songs together in praise of re- 



164 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

deeming love. Many of these were wonderful 
trophies of grace. From among the most unprom- 
ising and hopeless hearers of the word, it pleased 
God to select the subjects of His saving love. 
" The publicans and the harlots" believed, when 
the proud and self-righteous Pharisee rejected the 
humbling doctrines of the lowly Jesus. And so it 
was at Sandy Bay. 

During the progress of this work of grace, in 
the early part of 1848, the island was visited by 
the Rev. Jonathan Wade and. his wife, mission- 
aries of the " American Baptist Board for For- 
eign Missions," who had been laboring, since De- 
cember, 1823, in connection with the now sainted 
Judson, in Burmah. Their stay was prolonged, 
by the will of God, for the space of three months. 
Mr. Wade very gladly entered with Mr. Bertram 
into the delightful service of directing the awaken- 
ed sinner to the Lamb of God ; and greatly was 
his kind assistance prized. " We witnessed," he 
says, " the first baptisms administered there. A 
church was established, and sixty believers were 
added to it during the three months of our stay 
with them." 

The faithfulness of these converts has been 
fairly tested. Few, if any, have gone back to the 
world, or brought reproach upon the cause of 
Christ. Their zeal for the worship of God is 
worthy of all praise and imitation. Nothing but 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 165 

the hand of God can keep them from the place of 
prayer. In all weathers, by day and by night, 
when the bright moon sheds her clear light on 
their path, or when the earth, in her absence, is 
shrouded in darkness, they will thread their way 
through the deep gorges, and along the shelving 
paths of the beetling cliffs, where a foreigner 
would not dare to trust his foot, or even a do- 
mesticated goat venture to climb, and reach the 
place where the word of God is to be preached, in 
season to unite in the opening exercises of public 
worship. 

The success, which crowned this first attempt 
to extend the dissenting interest beyond the im- 
mediate neighborhood of James' Town, prompted 
Mr. Bertram and his brethren to find other 
places for the preaching of the gospel. " Fran- 
cis Plain," lies but a short distance south of 
" The Briars," having " Halley's Mount" on the 
northeast, " Alarm-house Mount," on the south- 
east, and " High Knoll" on the west. It occupies 
nearly the exact center of the island, and is sur- 
rounded by noble scenery. A station was com- 
menced at this point, not long after the one at 
Sandy Bay was established. Here, too, the word 
took effect. A worthy matron, residing at " Rose 
Bower," in the neighborhood of Francis Plain, to- 
ward the northeast, with her lovely family, fre- 
quently attended on Mr. Bertram's preaching ; 



166 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

and the eldest two of her daughters were soon 
brought to trust in Jesus Christ for salvation and 
eternal life. 

But it soon became evident that Mr. Bertram 
was not wanted at Francis Plain. The door was 
closed against him and his brethren ; not, how- 
ever, until " a great door and effectual" had been 
opened for him at Rose Bower, by Him who 
"openeth and no man shutteth." At this station, 
a regular service was speedily established, and 
every Lord's Day the word of God has since been 
proclaimed. God has owned His people, heard 
their prayers, and poured out His Spirit. A 
mixed congregation of whites and native island- 
ers, not large at the commencement, as the popu- 
lation was limited, but constantly increasing, have 
continued to assemble here for instruction in holy 
things ; and a goodly number of them have turned 
to the Lord. 

Attempts had been made by Mr. Bertram, pre- 
vious to this last arrangement, to establish preach- 
ing stations both at Longwood, the residence of 
Napoleon, and Sane Valley, the place of his buri- 
ial; but not meeting with sufficient encourage- 
ment. Rose Bower was fixed upon, as being near- 
ly central to Francis Plain, and these two local- 
ities ; and as affording sufficient facilities for all 
in this part of the island who desired to attend. 

Sane Valley is about three and a half miles 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 167 

from James' Valley, and was selected by Napo- 
leon himself as the place for his sepulchre. It is 
a quiet and romantic dell, at some little distance 
from the road, approached by a circuitous and 
somewhat precipitous path, overhung by yews, 
cedars, and w^eeping willows. A well of pure and 
delicious water springs up about ten or fifteen 
yards from the tomb, where the Chinese domestics 
of the Emperor were wont to fill their silver pitch- 
ers, which they carried to Longwood for the use of 
their master. It is said to be the best water on 
the island. Hither, also. Napoleon frequently 
resorted for recreation and repose — sometimes 
alone, and at other times with Madame Bertrand 
for his companion. " Here," he had said, " if I 
die on this island, I wish to be buried." And 
here his mortal remains were deposited, with mil- 
itary honors, on the 8th of Ma}^, 1821, in a plain 
vault, about eight feet in length, three in breadth, 
and seven in depth. The tomb is inclosed by a 
plain iron railing, about ten feet square, and over- 
hung by a willow-tree, now almost leafless and 
branchless, by reason of the Vandal ravages of 
visitors, who have borne it away piece-meal as 
memorials of the illustrious exile. A few small 
cedars are planted around it. 

In this beautiful and secluded retirement, the 
body of the Emperor was suffered to repose until 
the 15th of October, 1840, exactly twenty-five 



168 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

years from the day that he arrived at St. Helena ; 
when, by arrangement between the French and 
British governments, it was exhumed, with much 
parade, under the direction of the Prince de Join- 
ville, and placed on board of the Belie Poule 
frigate, to be conveyed to France. It was found 
in a state of excellent preservation, in conse- 
quence of the admirable manner in which it had 
been embalmed by the French physicians. It 
now reposes under the dome of the magnificent 
" Hotel des Invalides," at Paris, where it was de- 
posited with immense pomp and ceremony, on the 
loth of December, 1840, in a marble tomb, that 
has already cost the French nation more than six 
millions of francs. 

A poor widow, Mrs. Torbet, occupies a cottage 
about thirty yards from the tomb, who rents the 
grounds from the government, and collects from 
the visitors the sum of one dollar, for which she 
also furnishes refreshments to such as wish them. 
A superannuated British sergeant, also, lives near, 
who has had the charge of the tomb ever since it 
received the imperial remains, to whom it is cus- 
tomary also to give a shilling for the information 
which he prides himself in giving with the great- 
est accuracy. 

Longwood is but a short distance beyond Sane 
Valley, but cannot be reached in a direct route. 
It is approached by a good road, some two miles 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 169 

in length, nearly level, running along the top of a 
barren ridge, Rupert's Valley being in full view 
on the left, and the beautiful valley leading to Lev- 
elwood on the right. On either hand, deep and 
inaccessible gullies are passed, to which have been 
given such names as the " Devil's Gorge," etc. 
Longwood is the largest plain on the island, com- 
prising, inclusive of Deadwood, about fifteen hund- 
red acres of fertile land, sloping toward the south- 
west. The name was given on account of the ex- 
tent of wood formerly found here. The house, 
originally the residence of the lieutenant-governor, 
is elevated one thousand seven hundred and sixty- 
two feet above the sea. It is the highest table- 
land on the island, and, in consequence, is less 
subject to heat than almost any other residence, 
enjoying a pure air and bracing atmosphere, as 
Avell as an extensive prospect. The grounds are 
adorned with dense patches of shrubbery, and the 
herbage has a peculiarly fresh and verdant ap- 
pearance, by reason of its exposure to the balmy 
and grateful sea-breezes. The house is sur- 
rounded with tasteful pleasure-grounds, and has 
on the northeast a spacious common, covered with 
a rich carpet of the finest wire-grass, and pleas- 
antly shaded, at appropriate distances, with the 
luxuriant gum-tree. It is approached from the 
road through an avenue of pine and gum-trees, 
the branches of which are hung with a drooping 
15 



170 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

moss. The plain is bounded on the east and 
west by conical hills, giving a pleasing and ro- 
mantic character to the scenery. " Flag-staff 
Hill," which overlooks the plain on the west, at- 
tains an elevation of twenty-two hundred and 
seventy-two feet above the sea. The grounds ex- 
tend on the northeast to the rocky barrier against 
which the ocean-waves are for ever breaking. The 
place is entirely secluded from the other portions 
of the island, and afforded the Emperor abundant 
opportunities of walking, or riding on horseback 
or in his carriage, over a space of twelve miles 
in circuit, unattended and uninterrupted. Beyond 
these bounds he could also go at pleasure, under 
the escort of a British officer. Every indulgence 
was granted him compatible with the entire se- 
curity of his person. 

The house itself, though by no means hand- 
some, or having any pretensions to architectural 
beauty — a low, one-story building, in the form of 
an L — had been fitted up with all the conveniences 
of which it was capable, and was well suited to a 
gentleman of rank living in retirement. In the 
year 1816, the materials and furniture for a new 
house were sent at great expense from England, 
but, owing to the difficulty of ascertaining from 
Napoleon how he would have the materials used, 
much delay occurred in the erection ; so that, ere 
it was finished, he was too unwell to be removed 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 171 

to it. It was built of yellow sand-stone, one story 
in height, contains a handsome suite of rooms, and 
is some hundred yards to the northwest from the 
old house, compared with which it is quite a pal- 
ace. The Emperor's residence and grounds are 
now held by Captain Mason, a retired army offi- 
cer, who rents the place from the government, and 
exacts half a dollar, or two shillings sterling, from 
every visitor. The house is now but little better 
than a barn, with broken glass, and disfigured 
walls, unoccupied except by fowls, and as a sta- 
ble in one portion of it. It seems to have under- 
gone no repairs for thirty years. The new build- 
ing is occupied by some one or more of the British 
officers, to whom is committed the charge of the 
magnetic observatory, the instruments being erect- 
ed in a detached building. 

The population of this portion of the island, it 
will thus be seen, is very limited, and furnishes 
but little inducement for the establishment of a 
preaching station in the neighborhood. The few 
families at Longwood and Sane Valley can all 
very easily attend, if they will, upon the services 
at Rose Bower. 

Thus, in the good providence of God, Mr. Ber- 
tram was furnished with great opportunities for 
usefulness at St. Helena. Three preaching sta- 
tions had been established, and a church gath- 
ered, to which constant accessions were made from 



172 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

month to month. The work grew upon his hands, 
and demanded more time and strength than he 
could possibly devote to it. Once or twice he was 
brought low by severe illness. When the Rev. 
Mr. Jamieson, a missionary of the Presbyterian 
Board, stopped at the island in the summer of 
1846, on his way from India, he found Mr. Ber- 
tram suffering from a severe affection of the 
throat, which prevented his preaching for some 
considerable time. To the eminent skill, and as- 
siduous attentions of his excellent physician, John 
Stewart, M.D., he was placed under great obli- 
gations, during his illness and recovery. The im- 
paired state of his health compelled him to seek a 
residence in the country. A snug cottage was 
found at Sandy Bay, near Mr. Lambe's house, 
which he has since occupied at least a portion of 
the year. 

During his illness, his place was in part supplied 
by his young friend, Hudson R. Janisch, whose 
profiting had appeared to all. The superior tal- 
ents and education of Mr. Janisch so manifestly 
fitted him, together with his ardent piety, to be a 
helper to Mr. Bertram in the ministry, that, after 
a season of preparatory study, he was ordained, 
April 2d, 1848, to the ministry of the gospel, on 
the occasidfi of the Rev. Jonathan Wade's visit 
to the island. He has proved himself a worthy 
coadjutor of his spiritual father, and been of the 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 173 

utmost service to the church in many respects. 
God has owned his labors ; and, by means of his 
preaching, not a few have turned to the Lord. 

Two of the brethren, James Elliott, one of the 
few who had been converted previous to Mr. Ber- 
tram's arrival, and Thomas Charlett, were elected 
and ordained to the office of the eldership, both 
of whom have proved themselves faithful and 
valiant soldiers of the Cross. The former, hav- 
ing exhibited a good degree of talent in the exer- 
cise of his spiritual gifts, was licensed to preach 
and exhort in public worship. At the close of 
1849, more than one hundred souls had been 
hopefully converted, and added to the Church. 
Two other brethren, George F. Milne and Thomas 
Dick, have been licensed to give a word of exhorta- 
tion among the people. 

Schools, also, have been established under the 
influence and by the enterprise of this humble 
body of dissenting Christians, which are accom- 
plishing much good. They have Sunday schools, 
containing about two hundred scholars, at James' 
Town, Sandy Bay, Half-Tree Hollow, and Level- 
wood. Day schools also have been opened in 
the town and at Sandy Bay, in which from eighty 
to one hundred children are taught. 

The poor natives, as well as the imported Afri- 
cans, for whom almost nothing had ever before 
been done, in the matter of preparing them for 



174 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

death and the judgment, have many of them been 
brought under the influence of these schools, and 
the preaching of the word, by which some of them 
have been led to Christ. Much praise is due 
also to the benevolent Mr. Thompson, (whose 
school-room was obtained for Mr. Bertram soon 
after his arrival,) for his humanity to the Africans 
of St. Helena. For several years he has sought 
to give them the advantages of education, and 
taught many of them by night in a school that he 
opened for the purpose. The blessings of the 
poor African will long rest upon him for these 
labors of love. 

The condition of these Africans is fitted to 
awaken in their behalf the deepest sympathy and 
commiseration. They have, the greater part of 
them, been rescued from slavers, on the coast of 
Africa, or on the middle passage, and brought 
into St. Helena by the British armed cruisers. 
About a mile to the east of James' Valley, and 
parallel with it, is a similar ravine, or gorge, of 
about the same width, extending some two or 
three miles into the interior, called " Rupert's 
Valley." It has been appropriated by the gov- 
ernment to the use of the liberated Africans, who 
are brought to the island in these slave-ships. 
As soon, of course, as they touch the soil of the 
island, they are free. 

It is an awfully horrid sight to witness the un- 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 1T5 

lading of one of these slave-ships. When brought 
out from between decks, where they have been 
packed together, men, women, and children, in a 
state of almost entire nudity, in the midst of their 
own filth, destitute of air, and almost suffocated 
with the terrible stench, they are scarcely able, 
in many cases, to crawl, much less to stand ; so 
emaciated and enfeebled have they become, in 
consequence of the dreadful fevers and other dis- 
eases to which their confinement and treatment 
have subjected them. When brought on shore, 
they are laid out on the ground in rows, crying, 
as well as their strength will permit, in the most 
doleful accents, " Vavaf vava/^^ Water ! wa- 
ter ! 

Hundreds and thousands of them perish, not- 
withstanding all the care that is taken of them 
after they land. The whole valley has in conse- 
quence become a " valley of dry bones." The 
sick are placed in hospitals, built on an elevated 
ridge overlooking the valley on the east, and have 
medical attendance ; the naked are clothed, and 
the hungry fed. In the course of about six weeks 
those of them that survive the inhuman treatment 
of the slavers, and the infernal horrors of the mid- 
dle passage, are sent over to the West India 
islands, to find employment. Some of them re- 
main on the island, when there is a demand for 
labor. To send them back to Africa again, would 



176 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

be to subject them once more to capture and 
slavery. 

If any apologist for slavery could see -what Mr. 
Bertram lias seen in Rupert's Valley, and what 
may be seen there month after month, and year 
after year, and still continue to uphold a system 
conceived in the very depths of iniquity, fraught 
with all the evils that can be heaped upon poor 
down-trodden humanity, and sustained by the 
most diabolical cruelty, he must have a heart lost 
to all sense of justice, of pity, and of humanity. 
It is the most horrid system ever devised by men 
or devils for the eradication of God's image from 
man, and the conversion of human beings into 
brutes, on the one hand, and on the other, fiends 
incarnate. " How long, Lord ! how long," 
shall the accursed traffic be supported by the tol- 
eration of the system in Christian lands ? Hov/ 
long shall Ethiopia stretch out her hands to God, 
and cry for pity and compassion 1 Speed, oh, 
speed the day, when the shackles shall fall from 
the last slave on earth, and the day of universal 
freedom shall shed its blissful light on every hab- 
itation of man ! 

Previous to August 1st, 1834, when the British 
Emancipation Act, by which every slave in the 
empire was declared free, went into force, slavery 
existed on the island in a mild form. During the 
administration of Sir Hudson Lowe, and while 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. ITT 

Napoleon was on the island, a regulation was vol- 
untarily adopted by the citizens, at a public meet- 
ing, held August 13th, 1818, by which it was 
provided, that all children born of a slave mother, 
from and after the next Christmas, should be 
free ; the boys to be apprenticed to the proprietors 
of the parent until eighteen, and the girls until 
sixteen years of age. Through the benevolent 
exertions, principally, of Mr. Bertram and his 
associates, these freed men and their families, 
who constitute the native population already de- 
scribed, are gaining instruction in matters pertain- 
ing to their moral and religious duties, and making 
creditable advances in the various pursuits of in- 
dustry, by which they are rapidly rising to their 
proper rank in society. 

Reference has already been made, on a previous 
page, to the work of grace which, shortly after 
the commencement of this mission at James' 
Town, prevailed among the soldiers of the gar- 
rison. Not a few of these hardy, and, too often, 
profane and dissolute, sons of war were brought, 
from year to year, to enlist under the banner of 
the great " Captain of their Salvation ;" and be- 
come each of them " a good soldier of Jesus 
Christ." 

Shortly after the opening of the mission-house, 
a theatre was attempted in the barracks, directly 
across the street, and opened on the same even- 



178 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

ings of the week on which the dissenting chapel 
was opened. The attention of the soldiers was 
thus diverted or distracted from the preaching of 
the word. Of course, every inducement was held 
out, to draw a full audience, to witness the stage- 
playing, both from the garrison and the town. 
The introduction of a species of amusement which 
has ever proved a fruitful means or occasion of 
dissipation and uncleanness, as well as an effectual 
source of hardness of heart, and blindness of 
mind, was a great grief to the little band of breth- 
ren, who were laboring for the salvation of the 
souls of their fellow-sinners. It was regarded as 
one of the greatest obstacles to the success of 
their heavenly work. 

But though "troubled on every side," they 
were " not distressed — perplexed, but not in de- 
spair." They knew that the cause was God's, 
and must prevail. " Prayer," therefore, " was 
made without ceasing of the church unto God," 
that this hindrance might be removed. Month 
after month they prayed, until " the Lord heark- 
ened and heard." The hearts of God's people 
were at length gladdened by the sight of Sergeant 
Noble among the penitents, crying for mercy and 
confessing his sins. Soon after Sergeant Wright 
also was seen bowing his head like a bulrush be- 
fore the gales of grace from the heavenly world. 
They had both been among the foremost in the 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 179 

support and management of the theatre, as well 
as in their opposition to religion. But now they 
became illustrious trophies of redeeming love, and 
gave themselves with all their hearts to the ser- 
vice of Christ. The operations of the theatre 
were suspended, and the gospel triumphed glori- 
ously. At a subsequent period the theatre was 
again opened — but it pleased God once more to 
stretch out His hand, and bring their stage-man- 
ager, Cluney, of the army, to bow at the feet of 
Jesus. Such manifestations of the power of the 
gospel, not only encouraged the hearts of Mr. 
Bertram and his brethren to pray and labor in 
hope, but carried conviction also to the minds of 
the careless and the profane, of whom not a few 
were brought to hear and believe. 

It was not, however, without many and severe 
trials arising from domestic bereavement, (the 
death of his youngest son, August 22, 1848,) and 
pecuniary embarrassments, that Mr. Bertram was 
enabled to prosecute his benevolent and useful 
plans. A very heavy burden was devolved upon 
the humble brethren, who had clustered about 
him, in the purchase of their mission-house, the 
payment of the annual interest on the mortgage 
with which the property was incumbered, and the 
support of their pastor and his family. They 
were not, as has been seen, of the wealthier class- 
es, and but few of them able to advance much on 



180 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

the necessary expenses of their households. Yet 
what they could do, they did freely and gladly. 
Their pastor could truly say of them, as Paul 
said of the Corinthians, that " the abundance of 
their joy and their deep poverty (in some cases,) 
abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For 
to their power I bear record, yea, and beyond 
their power, they were willing of themselves, 
praying us with much entreaty that we would re- 
ceive the gift." 

It will be borne in mind, that, when the agree- 
ment was made in August, 1845, for the mission 
premises, it became necessary to wait for the rat- 
ification of the contract by the owner, who resided 
in the East Indies. Several months elapsed be- 
fore an answer could be received. The state of 
the treasury of the infant enterprise, when at 
length the arrangement was completed, may be 
seen from the following letter, written by a mem- 
ber of the congregation, in the early part of June, 
1846, to a friend in Cape Town, which appeared 
in the columns of the Cape Magazine for August, 
1846: 

" You are aware that a house and premises 
have been hired for the chapel. The situation is, 
I think, decidedly the most eligible the town af- 
fords; the lower part of the house was thrown 
into one. It is a commodious place of worship, 
sufficiently large for the congregation usually as- 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 181 

sembling there. The mission-box, monthly col- 
lections, and subscriptions of some few individuals, 
pay the current expenses, and afford Mr. Bertram 
.£150 per annum, a small and straitened income 
in this expensive place. His hearers consist al- 
most wholly of the very poor ; so that it seems 
wonderful that even this much is effected. But 
no surplus remains when the necessary and cur- 
rent expenses are paid. When the preparation, 
or building, of a mission house was first proposed, 
persons put down their names for various sums, 
together amounting to nearly .£300. Upon the 
strength of this, the committee of management, 
too sanguine in their expectations, offered to pur- 
chase the premises now occupied for £550 ; .£300 
to be paid down, the remaining £250 in install- 
ments. The owner of the premises being in In- 
dia, it became necessary for her agent to write for 
her sanction to this proposal. An answer of ac- 
ceptance has now arrived ; but, alas ! there are 
no funds. Another purchaser is ready to pay 
down the whole amount, anxious to procure the 
premises for a far different purpose, and if the 
committee cannot lay down the £300 within six 
months, the opportunity is lost. Without aid, and 
liberal aid, too, from the Cape, I fear there is no 
possibility of obtaining the necessary amount. 
Mr. Bertram has strong faith that the Lord will 
send help in time of need, and some of the com- 
16 



182 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

munity here are deeply anxious, and much engaged 
in prayer for its accomplishment. And, much as, 
we know, there is to occupy the attention. of Cape 
friends, we yet hope that you will not desert us. 
Sums amounting to £Q0 are sure, I believe ; but 
what is that to ^300 1 If I were at the Cape, I 
would beg from door to door for the cause, rather 
than see it fail. The evident blessing that has 
attended, and still attends, Mr. Bertram's labors 
in this benighted spot, is such as proves him to 
be sent of God ; and therefore I believe it will 
prosper; it must succeed." 

An appeal to the friends of the Redeemer at 
Cape Town was prefixed to the letter as it ap- 
peared in print, and followed by another in the 
Magazine for September. In this latter, it was 
stated, that the " opposition, which ever attends 
the doctrines of the Cross when boldly and faith- 
fully preached, threatens to deprive this flock of 
the place of worship that has been provided." 

Although it was a season of great commercial 
depression in the colony of the Cape of Good 
Hope, the sum of forty-two pounds, of which thirty 
were contributed by four individuals, Messrs. 
Hawkins, M'Leod, Alexander and A. Steedman, 
was presently obtained, and forwarded to St. He- 
lena. 

In the " First Report of the Christian Mission 
from the Cape of Good Hope to St. Helena," pre- 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 183 

sented at a public meeting in the mission house 
at James' Town, December 29th, 1849, and 
which was presently published in pamphlet form, 
the state of the funds is spoken of as follows : 

" The purchase of the mission house had been 
now effected for the sum of ^550, payable in four 
.years with interest ; two of which have now 
elapsed. But the yearly installments, resting 
principally on a few, have indeed been trying, up- 
hill work. Four of the brethren have subscribed 
for this special purpose £27 10s. a year each, 
and for the rest we have sometimes been driven to 
our wits' end, not knowing how or where to turn. 
Every way blocked up, and apparently every av- 
enue closed, Moses-like we have stood still to see 
the salvation of God. The great sea of difl&culty 
has divided in the midst. A friend has stepped 
forward ; relief has appeared. A Solomon has 
once and again stretched out his hand. A Scott, 
with others who have always thought they had a 
right to do what they thought proper with their 
own, have kindly lent their aid ; and for which, 
in this public report, we beg to express our grate- 
ful sense. To help us temporally, God has hith- 
erto said ' to the north. Give up, and to the south. 
Keep not back.' At Jehovah's bidding. Chris- 
tian sympathy has been excited ; holy benevo- 
lence has stretched out her lovely, helping hand. 
Cape Christianity hath not forgotten to make her 



184 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

collection for the poor saints, in behalf of this in- 
fant cause of God on this rock of the ocean. 
Christian friends and gentlemen at the Cape, in 
the spirit of the glorious gospel, free from all sec- 
tarian bigotry, subscribed their names and put 
down their consecrated pounds to aid us in our 
time of need. The enemy felt our new strength 
and feared, and the weak said, we are strong. 
Our prayer to God is that He may reward those 
our kind donors a hundred-fold, and that those 
acts of Christian benevolence may not be forgot- 
ten in the day of the Lord Jesus. 

" In consequence of this yearly installment for 
the mission house purchase, and other incidental 
expenses arising from the lighting and cleaning, 
Mr. Bertram has been but scantily supported." 

At the expiration of four and a half years, a 
debt of three hundred pounds (fifteen hundred 
dollars) still remained, for which the mission 
premises were mortgaged. In the circumstances 
in which the congregation were placed, it was very 
desirable that this burden should be removed. In 
addition, moreover, to this demand, the provi- 
dence of God was evidently calling upon them to 
erect a house of worship for the accommodation 
of the residents in Sandy Bay Valley, on the op- 
posite side of the island; and another in the 
neighborhood of Rose Bower, in the very heart of 
the island. Both of these stations had naw be- 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 185 

come centers of a most salutary influence, and 
could not be dispensed with. Hitherto they had 
been under the necessity of meeting, for public 
worship, in the private houses of the two friends, 
whose hearts God had opened to receive His word 
and His ministers. 

To effect these objects, application must be 
made for foreign aid. It was not to be obtained 
on the island. The congregation had strained ev- 
ery nerve to meet the current expenses of the en- 
terprise thus far, and had done nobly. A great 
work had been accomplished in a very short pe- 
riod. Out of themselves they could look for but 
little sympathy among the wealthier classes of St. 
Helena, who were mostly connected with, or de- 
pendent for patronage upon, the government ; 
and so under the influence of the colonial Church. 

In this state of things, after much deliberation 
and prayer, it was determined, to make an appeal 
to the friends of the Redeemer in the more fa- 
vored portions of His vineyard. The health of 
Mr. Bertram, by reason of the incessant labors to 
which he had cheerfully devoted himself for the 
past five years, had now become somewhat im- 
paired. A season of rest, or recreation, it was 
thought, such as a long sea-voyage, and a visit to 
Great Britain and America, would afford, might 
recruit his waning strength, and refit him for re- 
suming,, with increased vigor, the delightful work 



186 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

of evangelizing the native population of St. Hel- 
ena. 

Nor was such an appeal to be regarded alone in 
the light of asking alms. St. Helena is the half- 
way house on the high road from the shores of the 
North Atlantic to the East Indies. The mer- 
chants and the missionaries of Great Britain and 
America find it a most convenient and welcome 
stopping-place, on their way home from an Indian 
residence. To those of them, whose health has 
been sacrificed to the purposes of commerce, or of 
the gospel, it is indeed most refreshing to find, in 
the midst of the weary waste of waters, such a 
convenient haven, and so delightful a climate, 
where to tarry a few days or weeks, amid health- 
ful and balmy breezes, on their homeward way. 
Mr. Bertram and his brethren had been accus- 
tomed, year by year, to extend the hand of fel- 
lowship and welcome to the weary, worn-out mis- 
sionary, and to cheer him in his feebleness and sor- 
row, as the following testimonial, from the pen of 
the Rev. Jonathan Wade, makes abundantly evi- 
dent : 

" Both the Baptist and Paedo-Baptist de- 
nominations, having missionaries in the East, 
owe these St. Helena disciples a large debt al- 
ready ; and this debt will increase every year. 
Their missionaries, who are returning home in 
feeble health, mostly call at the island ; and, but 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA, 187 

for the hospitality of the members of this church, 
would be obliged to pay a guinea a day for board. 
Mrs. Wade and myself shared their hospitalities 
during three months, which enabled us to board 
there at an expense which our usual salary would 
cover. Brother Bertram and his family vacated his 
own house for the accommodation of Brother Has- 
well (Baptist missionary at Amherst, in Burmah) 
and his family, when they were detained some three 
or four weeks on the island. Other missionaries, 
now in this country, have shared their hospitali- 
ties for a longer or shorter period." 

Thus actuated and encouraged, " the Christian 
Brethren of the Missionary Church in the Island 
of St. Helena," as they style themselves, pre- 
pared to part for a season with their pastor, and 
to send him abroad with their salutations and en- 
treaties for help in the good work of the Lord. 
Relying on the ministerial services of the Rev. 
Mr. Janisch, and the three licentiates, Elliott, 
Dick, and Milne, to supply them, in the absence 
of Mr. Bertram, with spiritual ministrations, they 
committed him and his beloved family to the 
guidance of the Great Head of the Church. The 
farewell services took place at the mission house, 
on the 18th of February, 1850 ; on which occa- 
sion they mingled their tears with their petitions, 
and pastor and people wept together at the pros- 
pect of separation. 



188 LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 

It was an occasion of the deepest interest. 
Only about four and a half years had elapsed 
since the lone missionary had set foot on this 
" Rock of the Ocean," unknown to every inhab- 
itant of the island, and altogether uncertain as to 
the reception that awaited him. No- missionary 
society had taken him under its patronage, and 
pledged him a support. He was destitute entire- 
ly of all earthly dependence for his daily bread. 
A single letter to a tradesman, whom he had 
never seen or known before, was his only pass- 
port to favor. His coming had not been heralded 
in the periodicals of the Cape or the Island, so as 
to attract the attention of the great, the honora- 
ble, and the rich ; nor was there a waiting church 
or religious society, anxiously expecting the ar- 
rival of a pastor. Of all the residents on the 
island, not more, perhaps, than four or five indi- 
viduals had ever known, by sweet experience, the 
blessedness of vital piety. Professors there were, 
and two of them, priests also ; but they pertained 
to the Church of England, were attached to the 
formalities of a heartless system of religion, and 
gave but doubtful, if any, evidence of being any 
thing more than mere nominal Christians. But, 
whatever they were, he had nothing to expect 
from them, but discouragement and resistance in 
every practicable form, to the purpose and aim of 
his mission. 



LIFE AT ST. HELENA. 189 

But now how great a change had been effected ! 
A fond and admiring church (numbering at pres- 
ent about two hundred members) had been gath- 
ered around him ; the word of God had been 
preached in every quarter of the island ; preach- 
ing stations had been established in town and 
country ; weekly meetings for prayer and the study 
of the Scriptures had been set up ; Sunday schools 
and day schools had been gathered, or were soon 
to be started ; the fruitful soil had been plenti- 
fully sown with the good seed, and a blessed har- 
vest of souls was springing up all around him, 
portions of which were already ripe for the sickle. 
Well might he and his grateful brethren exclaim, 
in view of these unspeakable mercies, " This is 
the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes." 



APPPENDIX. 



A. 

Very shortly after Mr. Bertram's arrival at St. Helena, 
he was called to sympathize with the late lamented Adoni- 
RAM JuDsoN, D.D., in a season of deep affliction. Dr. Jud- 
son, in consequence of the alarming state of his wife's health, 
had been induced to leave his field of labor and his three 
younger children in Burmah, and to accompany his sinking 
companion and their three elder children to his native land. 
They embarked on the "Paragon," for London, April 26th, 
1845, about the time that Mr, Bertram arrived at Saldanha 
Bay. After a brief sojourn at the Mauritius, or Isle of 
France, of about three weeks, they hastened on their home- 
ward way. Mrs. Judson continued to become more feeble, 
until the ship came to anchor, at a very early hour in the 
morning of the 1st of September, in the harbor of James' 
Town, when, at three o'clock, she closed her earthly pil- 
grimage. The affecting scenes that followed, are thus re- 
lated by Mr. Bertram : 

" Early in the morning of the 1st of September, I received 
a note from Mr. Carrol, the American Consul of that island, 
informing me that a ship, named the Sophia Walker, had 
dropped anchor in our bay, the previous night, and that she 
had on board two distinguished passengers, Mr. Judson and 
lady, with their three children ; but, sad to state, since that 
brief period, Mrs. Judson had departed this life. He fur- 



192 APPENDIX. 

tlier stated, that Mr. Judson sent his christian regards to 
me, requesting that I -would come on board, as he was very 
desirous to see me. I had heard of Mr. Judson long before, 
and had learned to think of him as one of the most noble he- 
roes of the 'cross of Christ.' With a heart full of painful 
sympathy, I hastened to the vessel. As the boat in which I 
was, neared the floating house of death, I perceived several 
of the crew approaching the gangway. Deep sorrow was 
depicted on their countenances. The captain received me 
with a welcome, and, after a few touching hints, conducted 
me to the cabin, where I was, for the first time, introduced 
to Mr. Judson. He held out his hand ; but, for a moment, 
his heart was too full for articulation. He looked pale and 
careworn. The bitter tears flowed' down his cheeks in rap- 
id succession, moistening his Hps, as if seeking to find their 
way back again into that heart of sorrow, whence they 
flowed. Such a touching scene I never witnessed before. 
With him stood his three small children, weeping, and re- 
fusing to be comforted, because she, whom they so dearly 
loved, was not. Mr. Judson soon regained his self-posseS- 
sion. He spoke to his afllicted children in the sweetest man- 
ner, and in the most consoling language a Christian father's 
lips could utter, and then turning to me, said, 

" • sir, she died in the Lord — so peacefully. I asked 
her, but a little before she died, if she loved the Saviour, 
and could trust her soul into His hands. She answered, 
" Yes, yes." Come, Mr. Bertram, will you look at my 
love ? She is just like herself, lovely, even in death.' 

" He led the way into the state-room, where lay the cold 
remains in which once dwelt the soul of her who had given 
and devoted to the Saviour's cause, her life, her all Pleas- 
ant she was, indeed, even in death. A sweet smile of love 
seemed to rest on her countenance, as if heavenly grace had 
stamped it there. Mr. Judson stood at her head, and the 
children around her, weeping and sobbing. He kissed her 
cold forehead, again and again, bedewing it with tears. 



APPENDIX. 193 

After a few moments, he said, ' My love sufifered much be- 
fore she died, but never murmured. Her sufferings are 
over. Yes, she is now in heaven. I did all for her myself; 
dressed, and laid her out myself This was her own re- 
quest. To me it was a painful duty ; but God sustained 
me.' 

" He then informed me that arrangements had been made 
for the funeral, which was to take place at four in the after- 
noon, and begged I would attend and conduct the religious 
services on board the vessel. I then left the ship and has- 
tened on shore, to summon all my Christian brethren to be 
in waiting on the wharf at half past three o'clock. Eeturn- 
ing to the vessel, I remained with Mr. Judson until after- 
noon. When the time for the religious service arrived, the 
captain called together all the friends who were on board, 
and all hands who could be spared from the ship. I then 
read a suitable portion of the Divine word, and gave a brief 
address — I trust from the Lord a word in season — and then 
we all knelt in prayer to the wise Disposer of every event. 
When the service was ended, we again visited the solemn 
state-room, to take a last look of the departed wife and mis- 
sionary. The bereaved husband and weeping children fas- 
tened their eyes upon the loved remains, as if they could 
have looked for ever. Weeping, kiss after kiss was imprint- 
ed on the cold forehead. The last look was taken, the last 
kiss imparted, and then all was hid from mortal vision, un- 
til the morning of the resurrection. The coffin was removed 
to the boat which was to convey it on shore. Other boats 
were connected with this, so arranged as to form a funeral 
procession — three going ahead, towing the one which con- 
tained the corpse, and moving forward with the heavy beat- 
ings of their oars, and another followed, in which were Mr. 
Judson and the three children, with the captain of the ship 
and myself as chief mourners. Our Christian brethren and 
sisters were in a goodly number, with Mr. Carrol, the 
American consul, and his family, and some others of his 

17 



194 APPENDIX. 

friends, already -waiting on the shore, to join the funeral 
procession. The body was then transferred from the boat 
to the bier, which was carried by a number of seamen. 
The pall-bearers we selected from among our Christian sis- 
ters. They were four in number, and chief women, viz., 
Mrs. Captain O'Connor, of the East India Company ; Mrs. 
Janisch, widow of the late Dutch consul ; Mrs. Torbett, of 
Napoleon's tomb ; Mrs. Carrol, American consul's lady. 
Mr. Judson and myself walked first, leading one of the chil- 
dren ; the captain next came, leading the other two ; the 
American consul followed, with his friends ; then our Chris- 
tian brethren and sisters, two and two: the whole number- 
ing about one hundred persons. It is nearly half a mile 
from the landing to the burying-ground, the way to which 
lies through the town. The inhabitants paid their respects 
by closing their shops. The street was considerably lined 
on either side with spectators, who all appeared to mani- 
fest a mournful sympathy with Mr. Judson and the dear 
children. 

" On arriving at the grave, the Episcopal clergyman read 
the burial service of the Church of England. The body was 
then committed to its mother dust. Our Christian brethren 
stood around the grave and sung a solemn hymn, selected 
for the occasion. During this service, as Mr. Judson stood 
supported by my arm, I felt his animal frame frequently 
ready to give way, particularly toward the last, when the 
coffin was about to be lowered into the grave. I could see 
him heaving his heart to God, for power from on high, to 
strengthen him. God heard his prayer, and held him up. 
All being now over, the Christian friends began to with- 
draw ; but Mr. Judson and the children appeared to linger, 
as if reluctant to leave the sacred spot. We left the re- 
mains of Mrs. Judson in one of the choicest spots of the 
burying ground — a banian tree spreading its branches over 
it, as if to guard the precious treasure which lay interred 
beneath its shade. 



APPENDIX. 195 

' We then conducted Mr. Judson and the children to the 
house of Mr. Thomas Alesworth, -which stood adjacent to 
the burying-ground. His large parlor was filled with Chris- 
tian friends. A prayer-meeting was held. A goodly num- 
ber engaged, each and all praying God for comfort and sup- 
port to His dear servant and his children, in this their time 
of need. We all took tea together, and spent the remain- 
der of the time in religious conversation, speaking much of 
Jesus and the resurrection. And now the time of Mr. Jud- 
son's departure drew nigh. The captain called, informing 
him that there was little time to spare, as the ship was to 
put out to sea again that evening. Mr. Judson then arose 
and addressed us. He spoke with feelings of the highest 
gratitude of the Lord's goodness unto him, in sparing him 
the painful task of burying the remains of his beloved wife 
in the restless deep ; in bringing her to our island, and in 
giving her a Christian burial, and surrounding him with so 
many kind friends, who had joined with him in paying the 
last tribute of respect to her, who to him had proved one of 
the best of wives, and the most devoted mother. He said he 
never could have thought God had so many who loved Him 
on the island, and that he expected, when Mrs. Judson died, 
to have buried her with the assistance of a few seamen and 
a small number of sympathizing friends. He thanked us all 
from his very heart, in the name of the Lord, for our Chris- 
tian sympathy and kindness to him and his children, pray- 
ing God to reward us a thousand fold, to bless us as a 
Christian Church, and requested that we would follow him 
with our prayers, when on the mighty deep. He then gave 
Mr, Carrol and myself charge of the grave, and instructions 
concerning the headstone. He desired me often to give the 
hallowed spot, where lay the remains of his beloved wife, a 
friendly look, instead of himself, who would soon be far 
away from it ; but should continue to visit it in the mourn- 
ful remembrance of his spirit. We accompanied him to the 
ship, sorrowing with double sorrow, that we should see his 



196 APPENDIX. 

face no more in the flesh. Bidding him God speed, we said 
the last farewell." 



B. 

CASES OF HAPPY DEATHS AT ST. HELENA. 

As an illustration of some of the blessed results of the St. 
Helena Mission, the following cases of individuals, who have 
departed this life, after a happy experience of the power of 
converting grace, are presented to the reader. 

Mrs. Bt^R^'HAM, residing at Hutt's Gate, a short dis- 
tance south of Napoleon's tomb — an aged person, of large 
family — was hopefully converted in her last sickness, through 
the instructions of the missionary. Her youngest daughter, 
Mrs. Edmoivds, also, became a subject of divine grace, was 
baptized, and shortly after fell asleep in Jesus. Mrs. 
YouL, a young mother, was led to embrace religion on the 
bed of death, and died rejoicing in her Saviour. Caesar, a 
native resident of Sandy Bay Valley, became a remarkable 
trophy of divine grace, and died a triumphant death at the 
hospital in James' Town. 

On one occasion, late at night, a pressing message reached 
Mr. Bertram, asking him to visit one of the native women in 
the country , who was lying at the point of death. " I mount- 
ed my horse," he says, " and, accompanied by a friend, rode 
into the interior about three miles. Leaving our horses at 
Ridge Hill House, in care of Mr. Scott, where I found a 
couple of Christian friends awaiting me, we wended our way 
along the rear of Plantation House, the governor's seat, and, 
entering a dense forest of pines, by a winding and rugged 
foot-path, we groped along in darkness, toward the mid- 
night hour, quite uncertain of our footing, and frequently 
stumbling over some unseen obstruction. It was a gloomy 
walk, and well fitted, in the circumstances, to fill the mind 
with deep solemnity. 



APPENDIX. 19T 

" At length we reached the place of our destination, and 
Were heralded by a faithful watch-dog. A cluster of rude 
and humble cottages was before us, scarcely visible in the 
gloom, known as ' Chinatown,' and formerly occupied by a 
number of Chinamen, who had mostly been removed by 
death, leaving their dwellings to be occupied by -others. Mr. 
May, the husband of the sick woman, met us at the door 
with a taper candle, and conducted us to the bedside of the 
eufferer. Two or three of the native Christian women were 
present, who had been in attendance upon their afflicted 
neighbor for some time previously to our arrival. The in- 
habitants of St. Helena are distinguished for their kind at- 
tentions to the sick and afilicted, as many of the strangers 
who have visited the island can fully testify. Every deli- 
cacy, or alleviation, or relief of any description in their 
power, is furnished with the greatest tenderness and sym- 
pathy. 

" The sufferer was dozing when I approached her bed ; but 
after a little, she opened her eyes and gazed about. One of 
the sisters present said to her, ' Would you like to see Mr. 
Bertram .'' ' Oh ! yes,' she replied, with great earnestness. 
' 1)0 you know me, Mrs, May ?' I asked. ' Yes, sir,' she an- 
swered, ' and have been waiting, wishfully, to see you be- 
fore I died.' ' Have you ever attended my preaching ?' 
'Yes, many a time, both in the town and at Sandy Bay. 
Before my marriage, I lived at the Bay with Sister Jones. 
Alio Jones' wife is my sister. While there, I attended your 
preaching frequently at Mr. Lambe's house. After my mar- 
riage, not long since, I removed to this place, where I have 
been so much afflicted as to be unable to go and hear you.' 

" ' Have you learned any thing from the preaching that 
you have heard ?' I asked again. ' Much — very much,' she 
replied ; ' I learned my lost and ruined condition as a sin- 
ner against God; His goodness, also, in giving a Saviour, 
and the love of the Saviour in giving Himself a sacrifice for 
my sins. I often left Mr. Lambe's house with an aching 



198 APPENDIX. 

heart, and -n-ould \reep in secret, among the rocks, oxer my 
grievous sins. I lifted up my cries to God for pardon, until 
at length I found the Saviour precious to my soul. And 
oh ! He is precious to me now. I feel the sweet comforts of 
His presence. I am not afraid to die — death hath no ter- 
rors for me.' Turning her eyes toward the hearers, she ex- 
claimed, ' Oh ! my precious Saviour ! I long to be with thee. 
Methinks I see Him now. I feel that I am His, and He is 
mine.' She then praised God, that ever she had heard His 
gospel at my lips. 

"Prayer was then offered, in which she engaged most 
fervently, and every heart seemed to be full of adoring grat- 
itude to God for His wonderful grace. She then asked us 
to sing a hymn with her before we left ; and while we were 
engaged in the holy exercise, the dying converi sung with 
more than human voice and ecstasy, her clasped hands being 
raised toward heaven, and her eyes sparkling with a holy 
radiance. When we had concluded, she sung on, and cried, 
' Sing with me — do n't stop — sing more— sing again. Praise 
the Lord, my soul !' Thus she continued, until her phys- 
ical strength was exhausted ; and early in the morning, be- 
fore the dawning of day, her happy spirit was wafted by an- 
gels to her Redeemers bosom. 

"Mrs. YoiTN-G, also, was brought," says Mr. Bertram, 
" to a saving knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, and 
lived, for two years after her conversion, a most holy and 
exemplary life. During a painful and lingering illness, she 
was glorioasly sustained by divine grace, and manifested 
the greatest Christian j)atience and resignation. Xot a 
murmur was heard to escape from her lips. Often, during 
her illness, she was filled with 'joy and peace in believing.' 
She had a faith which took hold and rested upon the imper- 
ishable promises of the gospel. As death advanced, her joy 
increased, her prospects brightened, her tongue was loosed; 
and, from the abundance of a heart filled with the love of 
Christ, she spoke at different times to those around her in 



APPENDIX. 199 

language more than earthly. She literally died singing the 
praises of God and of the Lamb. 

"Mrs. Gyoxd had attended Sister Young in all her ill- 
ness, had heard many faithful warnings, earnest entreat- 
ies, and precious invitations to come to the Saviour; and 
often, during the exercises, had been deeply affected and 
povrerfully awakened; but would again return to folly, un- 
til she sat under the sound of another gospel sermon, when 
she would again melt and quail, and again relapse into her 
former state of carelessness and indifference for her soul's 
salvation. But the arrows of God had fastened on her con- 
science, and rest in her sins was for ever banished from her 
soul. She struggled for a long time against the truth of 
God and her own conscience, until she was suddenly seized 
with a severe illness, when attending her husband at Rose 
Bower, who was also in a delicate state of health. 

"All at once the terrors of death and judgment stared 
her in the face ; the thunders of Mount Sinai's burning and 
fiery mount carried terror to her quivering soul ; she quailed 
beneath the angry judgment of the Almighty ; she felt the 
value then of a Saviour ; and, for refuge, was enabled to flee 
to the foot of the cross. The family at Rose Bower was pi- 
ous, and the two eldest daughters, during her illness, daily 
supplicated for her at a throne of grace. Under their prayers 
and pious instructions, she was enabled to lay hold of the 
hope set before her in the gospel ; her fears were all sub- 
dued, and peace in believing possessed her heart. A short 
time before her departure, she fell into a doze, from which 
she awoke in a state of perfect sensibility, giving those 
around her a most sublime description of a heavenly vision 
she had seen, sweet music to which she had listened, and 
holy angels that she had seen. Those, who witnessed her 
death and all its attendant circumstances, had reason to be- 
lieve that this was also a brand plucked from the burning. 

" Gran>'y Wells, also, an aged woman, converted after 
she was sixty years of age, exhibited all the glorious evi- 



200 APPENDIX. 

dence of a change of heart. She became an object of tini- 
versal Christian love among the brethren and sisters on the 
island. When she could no longer attend the house of God, 
from feebleness of health and shortness of breath, she had, 
every Sabbath, a meeting held with her in her own room. 
This was a sister's meeting, in which numbers regularly en- 
gaged in prayer, read the Holy Scriptures, and sang God's 
praises together. This was Granny Wells's Sabbath-day 
blessing ; nor could her soul, hungering and thirsting after 
righteousness, ever be satisfied without it. She died in the 
Lord, in deed and of a truth, beloved by every Christian on 
the island. 

" Sister Thomas, also, a native, was a glorious example 
of the converting grace of God. To hear the word of Life, 
this native would travel over every part of the island, to 
every missionary station, or preaching place in the town, at 
Francis Plain, Rose Bower, Sandy Bay, and Longwood, fear- 
ing lest she might lose a single gospel sermon. She was a 
woman of no ordinary mind, and became well instructed in 
the things of God. Like the woman of Samaria, her zeal to 
bring others to Christ was manifest in the long journeys 
she took to different parts of the island, to bring the people 
under the sound of the glorious gospel, and to win them to 
Christ. She had wisdom from Heaven to combat error, and 
to ' contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the 
saints.' Both threats and promises were used to draw her 
from the right way of the Lord ; butj with her ears closed, 
she went on her heavenly course, shouting ' Life, life — eter- 
nal life!' She was, however, at times subject to great per- 
sonal affliction, suffering much from a distemper in the 
head, which frequently laid her up for days and weeks to- 
gether. She sickened, at length, for the last time; and, in 
the triumphs of faith, exchanged this world of suffering and 
death for the heavenly land, where ' there shall be no more 
death,' and where ' the inhabitant shall not say I am sick.' 



APPENDIX. 201 

•' Mrs. Weston- was also brought to a knowledge of the 
truth as ' it is in Jesus.' She was considerably enlightened 
and instructed by the preaching of the word at her mother's 
house, at Green Hill, but particularly after her removal to 
the town, on the bed of affliction, and death. We have good 
reason to believe that she experienced then a change of 
heart. She fell asleep in Jesus, in early life, shortly after 
her marriage. She was accomplished in person and in mind, 
as well as of a most kind and gentle heart. She was la- 
mented by all on the island. A goodly number of her rela- 
tives were brought to the Lord through the preaching of the 
word, and became members of the mission church. Their 
consolation was, that she gave good evidence of having found 
the Lord before her death, and that their painful loss was 
her eternal gain. 

" George M' Nought was born, in the north of Ireland, 
of Presbyterian parents, and was therefore, to a considera- 
ble degree, brought up ' in the nurture and admonition of 
the Lord.' He had but an imperfect education, could read 
not very well, and write not much better. He was bred a 
weaver, and for a time supported himself by his trade ; but, 
being addicted to profanity and dissipation, he at length en- 
listed as a soldier in her majesty's service, and was sent to 
St. Helena. He had a fondness for music, and was, in con- 
sequence, put in training for the band, into which, after a 
suitable drilling, he was introduced as a proficient in the 
art. He was thus elevated above the ranks, and a dress was 
given him much superior to that of a private. His personal 
appearance was very attractive ; and, by a strict attention 
to his regimental duties, he won the respect, and secured the 
approbation, of his officers. But his life, when out of the 
ranks and the barracks, was very irregular and profane. 
For two years he continued to pursue a course of high-hand- 
ed wickedness. 

" The soldiers, who had been converted in the revival, 
were wont to meet at stated times for prayer and confer- 



202 APPENDIX. 

ence, in wliat was called ' the soldiers' room,' attached to the 
mission premises. This meeting was conducted by Sergeant 
Brook, a very devoted servant of Christ. These soldiers 
were animated with an ardent desire for the conversion of 
their comrades, and frequently singled out one and another 
as speci&l objects of prayer. At the same time, they en- 
deavored to persuade them to attend upon the preaching of 
the word. 

" Among others, George M'Nought shared in their Chris- 
tian solicitude, and was at length prevailed upon to enter 
the house of God, and near His word. Presently he was 
awakened to a sense of his guilt, wretchedness, and danger. 
He was brought to see into what depths of iniquity he had 
plunged, and how dreadfully wicked and abandoned his life 
had been. A letter came, just then, from home, in which 
his godly parents poured forth their affection, in pious coiin- 
sels and entreaties, urging him to forsake the ways of sin, 
and turn to the Lord. This timely epistle deepened his con- 
viction, and soon he was led firmly and penitently to re- 
solve, in the strength of the Lord, to seek the mercy of his 
God, if there was any mercy for such a wretch. Encouraged 
by his comrades that were pious, who took him by the hand, 
prayed for, and instructed him, he was brought, under the 
preaching of the word, to believe with his heart unto right- 
eousness, and to cast the burden of his sins upon his Savi- 
our. His soul was now filled with joy, as one alive from the 
dead, as a new creature in Christ Jesus. To his anxious 
parents he sent, in reply, the joyful tidings of the restora- 
tion of their prodigal son, and his reconciliation with his of- 
fended God and Father. 

" He cast in his lot fully with the people of God, and, 
like Caleb and Joshua, followed the Lord with his whole 
heart. He was neither a Demas, clinging to this present 
evil world, nor a Diotrephes, loving the pre-eminence. His 
was not the Laodicean lukewarmness, nor the Galatian un- 
steadiness. He counted * all things but loss' for Christ, set 



APPENDIX. 203 

his eyes on the goal, and pressed ' toward the mark, for the 
prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.' His motto 
was, ' This one thing I do.' So remarkably did he grow in 
grace, that all his acquaintances ' took knowledge of him 
that he had been with Jesus.' 

' ' He abounded and delighted in prayer, spending hours 
daily with God in the ' soldiers' room' of the mission prem- 
ises. He shrunk not from the exercise of his gifts in pub- 
lic, and most fervently, as well as effectually, did he pray. 
It was a great pleasure to all the church to hear him ; and 
rich was the blessing, which seemed always to flow upon them 
from above, when George prayed. 

" He loved the sanctuary, and drank in, with awe and 
holy reverence, the instructions of God's word, relishing 
most the strong meat, on which his soul fed and grew apace. 
He was an example to the believers in the regularity and 
punctuality of his attendance at prayer and conference meet- 
ings, whenever not on regimental duty, as well as on the 
Sabbath day, to hear the word. His spirituality appeared in 
his whole deportment, as well as in his speech and devo- 
tions. He adored the free, rich, and sovereign grace of 
God, and greatly delighted in the contemplation of the in- 
finite riches of grace and wisdom that are treasured up in 
Christ, ever seeking to magnify and exalt the wonders of re- 
deeming love, and to lead his comrades to Jesus. His faith 
and courage was such, that he could go through fire and 
water for his beloved Lord. Such, too, was his remarkable 
proficiency in the knowledge of the truth, as to give un- 
doubted confirmation to the promise, ' All thy children shall 
be taught of the Lord.' 

" Nor was he less distinguished for his humility. Of him- 
self he never spoke, but as ' less than the least' of the saints, 
and as not worthy to be called a disciple, or to receive even 
a crumb from the Master's table, or a cup of water from 
the Lord. If at any time he was troubled with remaining 



204 APPENDIX. 

infirmity, he mourned over his corruption, and, with deep 
contrition. 

•At the foot of the cross, 
He would weep for his loss, 
Till the blood made him holy again.' 

" His exertions to lead his comrades to the Saviour were, 
not only unremitting, but patient and long-continued. He 
wearied not, nor was he discouraged under rebuke and re- 
proach. He sought them out, entreated and besought them ; 
and not in vain. Many of them were persuaded to accom- 
pany him to the sanctuary and the place of prayer, of whom 
several became happy subjects of grace. 

" He delighted, also, in conversing with his fellow Chris- 
tians on the things pertaining to the kingdom. Often they 
would gather round him in groups, on the mission premises, 
and stand, with open mouths and ears, drinking in his 
homely, yet savory and heavenly talk, by which the sleepy 
professor was roused, the conscience of the unfaithful stung, 
the timid encouraged, the feeble strengthened, and the wan- 
dering reclaimed. Yet he attempted not to preach or lec- 
ture. 

" George had been chosen, by reason of his fine person, to 
be the base-drummer. The carrying of the large drum is 
very injurious to the chest, and but few persons have been 
known in the British army who could long sustain the bur- 
den. George sank under it, and was under the necessity of 
leaving the ranks for the hospital. He may have been pre- 
disposed to consumption ; but the climate of St. Helena had 
not aggravated the disease, as it is well known to be highly 
favorable to the removal of such disorders. 

" In the hospital he was treated with kindness and skill; 
so that after some weeks he began to amend, and was per- 
mitted to leave the sick room and resume his place in the 
ranks. During his sickness, he was enabled, by his fervent 
prayers, pious instructions, and holy conversation, to prove 
himself a blessing to his fellow^ patients, some of whom will. 



APPENDIX. 205 

through eternity, have occasion to bless God for their ac- 
quaintance with him in the hospital. 

"Grateful as were his brethren in the church to see him 
once more among them, it was but for a short season only. 
His disorder soon became more alarming, and he was obliged 
to return to the hospital to leave it no more alive. For the 
space of three months he was gradually sinking, and wasting 
away ; but not a murmuring word escaped his lips. With 
the utmost patience and resignation he awaited the will of 
God. He knew ' that all things work together for good to 
them that love God, to them who are the called according to 
His purpose.' The language of his heart, as well as of his 
lips, was, 'Not my will, but thine, be done.' Dearly as he 
loved life, and clung to it, he would say, ' Though He slay 
me, yet will I trust in Him.' 

" He enjoyed a sweet and serene composure of soul, 
throughout his illness. Though the ' outward man' was per- 
ishing, ' the inward man' was ' renewed day by day.' He 
rejoiced to do what his wasting strength would allow, for 
the spiritual welfare of his comrades in affliction. Ho was 
visited by many of his fellow Christians, and others also, to all 
of whom he spake, as he was able, of the worth of the soul, of 
the necessity of experimental religion, of the willingness of 
God to save, of the efficacy of a Saviour's blood, of the un- 
speakable comforts of grace, and the wonderful support of 
the Spirit. To those who were unconverted, he would speak 
particularly of the vanities of the world, and the awful dan- 
ger of dying in sin. ' Ah !' he would say, ' What a miser- 
able, guilty, lost wretch would I be now, had I all the world 
with me, and no Jesus ! How much better am I off, having 
Christ with me, and but little or nothing of the world. Ev- 
ery day He strengthens me, sustains me, and is preparing 
me for glory.' Then he would tell of the bright prospect of 
glory that was spread out before him, and say, ' All this for 
poor George, unworthy George; not the merited purchase 
of my own good works ; oh ! no ; but the merited purchase 

18 



206 APPENDIX. 

of Jesus' sufiferings, precious blood, and death.' He seemed 
to be completely captivated with the charms of a Saviours 
love, and would often repeat those sweet words of Dr.Watts' t 

'Were the whole realm ot nature mine, 

That were a present far too small ; 
Love, so amazing, so divine, 

Demands my soul, my life, my all.' 

*' His Christian brethren, with great modesty, yet with 
great faithfulness, he would exhort to live near to God, and 
to fight manfully against the world, the flesh, and the devil. 
To do this, he told them, they must be stronger in soul than 
in body — must be strong in the Lord and in the power of His 
might. To obtain this spiritual ' might in the inner man,' 
they must give themselves much to private prayer, spend 
much time with God, and as little as possible with the world. 
'Brethren!' he would say, 'Walk with God, and do n't go 
away from Him ; cleave to Him with full purpose of heart, 
and He will never leave you, never forsake you. I am sure 
of this. I have tried God for myself; and, notwithstanding 
all my unworthiness. He has been a God of faithfulness, a 
promise-keeping God to me. Only see how He is supporting 
me now! See how He holds me up while heart and flesh is 
foiling me ! " The Lord is my portion, saith my soul ; there- 
fore will 1 trust in Him." Oh ! when I think of the long- 
sufi'ering of God to me, and that He spared me, and did not 
cut me down in my sins ; that He sent His servants and His 
gospel after me. His spirit to quicken, and enlighten, and 
convert my poor, dead, dark, and guilty soul — oh ! the good- 
ness of God to me ! " What shall I render unto the Lord for 
all His benefits toward me ?" "Bless the Lord, my soul, 
and forget not all His benefits." Oh ! brethren, if I get to 
heaven, I '11 praise Him there as I cannot praise Him here.' 

" Thus he would talk to those who visited him day by 
day — who felt as if they had spent some time on the very 
suburbs of heaven ; and, on meeting some one or another of 



APPENDIX. 207 

their friends on the street, after a visit to George, they 
might be often heard to say, 'Oh! you ought to have 
heard George, to-day ; such heavenly, blessed things he did 
say ! What a blessed state of soul he is in ! What a heav- 
enly frame of mind ! His heart is full of God. .1 '11 tell 
you what it is, the religion that George has is worth more to 
him now than all the world. Oh ! that I may have such re- 
ligion as George's, when I come to die.' The unconverted, 
who visited him, all confessed that they saw in him, and 
heard from him, what they never saw or heard before. He 
was a subject of discourse all through the town, and all over 
the island. 

" But it became every day more and more apparent, that 
the day of his departure was at hand — that he was fast 
ripening for the heavenly kingdom. It was on a dark and 
drizzly night, and at a late hour of that night, that it came 
into my mind to visit him. I knew not how, but so it was — 
the conviction was fastened on my mind, that there would be 
a change with George before the morning. My family would 
fain have dissuaded me from visiting the hospital that night, 
as it was late, wet, and dark. But something said, ' Go, 
and tarry not.' I left the mission house, and proceeded up 
the valley, toward the house of mourning. The hospital 
stands about half a mile above the mission house. It was 
between the hours of ten and eleven when I entered the 
ward. I found George sitting up, seated in a large easy 
chair, that had been given me by an American missionary, 
on his visit to the island, who had received it from a gov- 
ernor in India. When poor George took sick, I sent it up to 
the hospital for his use. 

"He was surrounded by a number of his Christian fellow 
soldiers, and two or three civilians ; Sergeants Wright, No- 
ble, M'Calley, and, as I think, Cooper, were there, and broth- 
er James Buchanan — all brought to God through the open- 
ing of the mission on that island. As I approached, George 
held out hia hand, caught mine with eager grasp, held it for 



208 APPENDIX. 

some time, end, gazing upon me, said, ' Mr. Bertram, I 'm 
glad that you have come ; you are my father in the gospel ; 
but for your preaching, I might have lost my soul.' I said, 
' George, how do you feel to-night ?' His answer was, ' Oh ! 
sir, ver^ poorly ;' and, lifting up his eyes to Heaven, he gaid, 
' I thought my Heavenly Father would have sent His chariot 
of love for me before this time ; it has not come yet, but I 
am waiting for it. I am prepared for it, and all ready to 
go.' I sat down beside him, and supported his head for some 
time with my right hand, holding sweet and delightful con- 
versation with him. ' George,' said I, 'Do you feel the Sa- 
viour still precious to your soul ? Do you still feel that 
you love Him much ?' ' Yes,' said he, ' and I long to be 
with Him.' 

"We then all knelt together at the throne of grace, one 
of the Christian brethren supporting George in the chair, 
while I commended his soul, for the last time, to the pro^ 
tecting and everlasting arms of the Redeemer. The earnest 
spirit of George accompanied us, in his fervent breathings to 
the throne of grace, and while beseeching the Saviour to be 
with him in passing through the valley. 

" When prayer was over, I sat down at the foot of one of 
the beds of the hospital, and, being wearied with the exer- 
cises of the day, I fell asleep. I slept, perhaps, the greater 
part of an hour. The conversation, that passed while I 
slept, was related to me by one of the Christian brethren. 
He said that it was of the most heavenly and sublime char- 
acter, which he was altogether inadequate to represent. 

" He was not permitted, however, to enter the New Jeru- 
salem, without a vigorous assault from the last enemy. 
During the first part of the time, his conversation with the 
brethren bespoke his full assurance of hope, and a soul filled 
with the joys of the great salvation ; but during the latter 
part of the time, a dark cloud seemed to steal over his soul, 
and envelop his spirit in darkness, as if the light of the Di- 
vine countenance was withdrawn. In dismal distress and 



APPENDIX. 209 

horror, he began to sink in deep waters -where there was no 
standing ; and in the disquietude of his spirit, to cry out to 
his Christian brethren, ' Oh ! what shall I do ? oh ! what 
shall I do?' The brethren replied, 'Why, George, what is 
the matter with you ? What has come over you now ? Are 
you not happy now, George ?' 'No,' said he, ' I 'm wretch- 
ed; I 'm miserable ; I am undone for ever ; I 've lost my 
Christ ; He has gone away from me ; oh ! what will I do for 
my Christ ? Oh ! where shall I find my precious Christ ? 
Oh ! dear ! dear ! I have lost my Christ ! He has gone away 
and left me. Oh! what shall I do for my Christ?' The 
brethren reminded him of the precious promises of the gos- 
pel, and betook themselves to the throne of grace in prayer, 
that the enemy might not be permitted to exact upon him, nor 
the son of the wicked one to afflict him. 

" Prayer prevailed ; the enemy was driven back ; the 
snare of hell was broken ; the darkness was scattered ; the 
light of God's countenance burst upon him like the noon- 
day sun through an ocean of storms. His soul was radiant 
with the divine glory;* his very eyes sparkled with heavenly 
joys ; ' the peace, that passeth all understanding,' beamed in 
his very countenance, and again he cried out aloud, ' I 've 
found my Christ ; I 've got my Christ ; I have my Christ ;' 
clasping his arms across his breast, with his eyes raised to 
heaven, he continued to exclaim, over and over again, ' Oh! 
my precious Christ ! What a sweet, lovely Christ ! I will 
keep my Christ. Oh ! I shall never part with my Christ. 
I 'm safe now — I'm happy now ; and I am all right with my 
Christ.' Turning to the brethren, he said, ' I was miser- 
able when I lost my Christ. Oh ! I could not live without 
my Christ. I should be lost, but for Christ. But now I 'm 
happy with my Christ.' He said, ' Brethren, are you all hap- 
py ? I am so happy, I think I could spare some of my happi- 
ness. Am I dying, brethren ? Is this dying .' W^hy, I feel 
as if I was in heaven.' While he thus spoke, the cough 
seized him, and convulsed him for a length of time. It was 



210 



APPENDIX. 



evident to all that it was death, storming, and shaking, and 
demolishing the earthen tabernacle ; it was his last struggle 
with the last enemy. When the coughing fit was over, he 
was only able to say, ' Brethren, lay me down on that couch 
there, on the floor.' Four of his Christian fellow soldiers 
removed him from the chair on which he sat, and laid him 
on the mat. All now gathered around him, kneeling and 
stooping over him. 

" Such a sight my eyes never beheld. Soldiers, with their 
red coats, and epaulets, bending over this Christian hero, in 
his last great conflict with the king of terrors ! He opened 
his eyes once more, and his last words were, 'Victory! 
Sweet Jesus ! Precious Jesus !' His head fell over, and the 
soul of the victorious warrior, shouting from the battle-field, 
had fled." 

"J AMES F. H. Bertram, youngest son of James M'Gregor 
Bertram, a beautiful boy in person, intellectual, talented, 
and exceedingly affectionate, the hope and delight of his 
parents, was removed from them suddenly, and at a time 
least expected. James was brought up, from his childhood, 
in the ' nurture and admonition of the Lord.' At the do- 
mestic altar, unceasing prayer was off"ered for his salvation. 
He was instructed in the good way of the Lord ; to read His 
word, to respect His laws, and to keep His holy Sabbaths; 
nor was he inattentive to divine instruction, but felt, in 
some measure, his obligations to God ; had, however, like all 
other boys, faults and sins, which, when pointed out to him 
by his parents, by way of rebuke and correction, grieved 
him much and afflicted him sore. On those occasions, he 
would retire to his room alone, confess his sins before and to 
the Lord with a broken and a penitent heart. It was touch- 
ing to hear him sobbing and begging God to pardon and for- 
give him for Jesus' sake, and make him a good boy. Mr. 
Janisch and his father were in the habit of giving public 
lectures to the children in the mission house, which were in 
general well attended and blessed of God. On one occasion, 



APPENDIX. 211 

after Mr. Janisch had delivered one of his lectures to the 
children, James came into the parlor, his heart full to 
overflowing. Grief seemed to choke his utterance. At 
length he sobbed out, ' Oh ! father, you should have heard 
Mr. Janisch to-night; v?hat good things he did say.' He 
was evidently convinced of sin, awakened, and deeply con- 
cerned for his soul's salvation. 

" He retired into his room, fell on his knees, and earnestly 
pleaded with God for mercy and for a new heart. He contin- 
ued at this exercise for two hours together, until it grew late 
in the night ; and in this state of mind he was put to bed. The 
death of George M'Nought affected him sore. He was well 
acquainted with George, and loved him much, for he was al- 
ready a lover of good men; and, when George died, James, 
in the depth of his sorrowful heart, was one of his chief 
mourners, and wept for him much. Some time after the 
death of George, sufl&cient time for its solemnities to have 
passed away, James was one evening found, after he had 
been put to bed, crying bitterly — so much so, indeed, that 
neither his mother nor any one in the house could comfort 
him. His mother came to his father, desiring that he would 
go in and see him, speak with him, ascertain the cause of 
his gi'ief, and comfort him. 

" He went to his bedside, and asked, ' James, what is the 
matter with you .'' What aileth thee, my dear boy ?' But 
his dear little heart was too full of grief at once to answer. 
At last he sobbed out and said, ' Father, ]*am crying for 
George M'Nought.' ' Why,' said his father, ' my dear 
boy, should ybu cry for George ? You know George was a 
good man, and died happy in the Lord, and is now in heav- 
en.' He said, ' Father, I know that ; but I am crying, too, 
for my own soul.' His father told him, he was glad to hear 
that he was concerned for the salvation of his soul. 

" He then entered into a lengthened religious conversation 
with him, talked to him of the nature of sin, of the guilt and 
danger of sinners, of the love of God in the gift of His Son, 



212 APPENDIX. 

and of the love of Christ in the gift of Himself, in suffering, 
bleeding, and dying for ns. 

" He then pointed out to him the necessity of an atonement 
for our sins; the nature and the eificacy of that atonement ; 
the necessity of the agency and influence of the Holy Spirit, 
to apply the blood of Christ, to change and regenerate the 
heart ; and also pointed out to him the way of justification 
by faith ; exhorted him to believe on Christ, for the salva- 
tion of his soul — free pardon and acceptance with God, for 
the witness of the Spirit, and for adoption into the divine 
family. All this he pointed out to him in the plainest and 
simplest language possible, and by the most easy and nat- 
ural illustrations, such as his tender mind might be able to 
comprehend. To all this he listened with serious and eager 
attention ; and when his fathei' would ask him if he under- 
stood all these things, he would answer ' Yes,' or nod his 
assent. Thus he endeavored to point the soul of his dear 
child to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the 
world. Once or twice his father knelt down and poured out 
his soul to God in prayer for him ; during those supplica- 
tions, he was earnestly engaged with God for himself. When 
prayer was ended, he seemed comforted and composed, and 
shortly afterward fell asleep. What work the blessed Spirit 
of God wrought in his soul that night, cannot be known ; but 
it was very evident, that a work of grace had begun in his 
heart, which was to fit and prepare him for a better world. 
Shortly after Ais he returned from school during the hot 
weather, complaining of his head, which continued worse and 
worse, until he betook himself to bed, from whence he never 
rose. 

"He had every medical aid and strict attention from his 
good and able physician, Dr. John Stewart, whose kindness 
to the child during his illness will ever be held in grateful 
remembrance by the parents. 

' ' Little James' trouble was all in his head. He seemed to be 
swallowed up with sleep, from which it was difficult to arouse 



APPENDIX. 213 

him even for a moment. Hence he spoke little during his 
illness ; but, when asked if he loved the Saviour, with firm- 
ness he would answer ' Yes,' and then fall off to sleep again. 
" They will never forget the kindness of the little church of 
God on Ocean Rock, in this their severe trial of faith and sore 
affliction. By the church, prayer was made to God, without 
ceasing, for the salvation of both body and soul of James. 
For him hundreds, if not thousands, of earnest prayers had 
ascended to the throne. Thus the church continued to cry 
to God in his behalf until his soul was transplanted from 
the prayers of the Church militant on earth, to join the 
songs of the Church triumphant in Heaven. He was the first 
after the death of George who followed him to heaven, and 
now sleeps in the dust of death, on the Rock of the Ocean, 
at the feet of that mother in Israel, Mrs. Sarah B. Judson." 



MISSION TO AMERICA 

The Church of St. Helena have reason to be grateful, not 
only for the kind providence which brought Mr. Bertram 
to their shores, but also for his temporary absence. The 
object which they had in view has been accomplished, and 
more. Through the representations of their pastor in his 
numerous addresses, they have been introduced into the fel- 
lowship of the churches in Africa, Europe, and America. 
Their history was previously altogether unknown beyond the 
narrow circle of their own sea-girt isle, and, in most cases, 
their very existence had not come to the knowledge of God's 
people in other portions of the world. Now they are known, 
honored, and loved wherever their pastor has gone, and will 
be remembered with deep interest by many thousands. 

A brief relation of the incidents of Mr. Bertram's agency 
will form a proper sequel to the account already given of his 
life and labors. 



214 APPENDIX. 

A few days after the public meeting, in which he bade 
adieu to his devotedly- attached people at James' Town, Mr. 
Bertram, his wife, and daughter, embarked on board the 
brig Velox once more, now under the command of Captain 
Ware, on their way to Cape Town. After a long passage of 
twenty-nine days, they reached the Cape in the latter part 
of March, 1850. They met with a hearty welcome from the 
kind friends of former days, under whose auspices they had 
undertaken their mission to St. Helena nearly five years 
before. 

After some three or four weeks' sojourn at Cape Town, 
arrangements were made for a public meeting, which was 
held the last week in April, at Union Chapel (Rev. Dr. Phil- 
lip's), when Mr. Bertram " rehearsed all that God had done 
with them, and how He had opened the door of faith" unto the 
benighted natives of St. Helena, and many of the residents of 
that island. In the account given of this meeting, in the 
" Cape Town Mail," of Saturday, May 4th, 1850, it is said, 
that " the Rev. Mr. Freeman took the chair, and the Revds. 
Dr. Adamson, Mr. Stegman, and Mr. Vogelzegang advocated 
the claims of the mission on the Christian people of Cape 
Town, with whom it originated, and the necessity of their 
aiding Mr. Bertram in the accomplishment of the object for 
which he has visited Cape Town. Mr. Bertram's report 
was interesting and encouraging 

" The South African Commercial Advertiser," also, of 
May 8th, 1850, observed that " those of the public, who pro- 
fess to feel an interest in the diffusion of pure and undefiled 
religion, have an opportunity of evincing their sincerity, by 
assisting the Rev. Mr. Bertram, in his praiseworthy labors 
at St. Helena. Mr. Bertram was favorably knovs^n here 
some years ago as a missionary among the large and some- 
what turbulently-disposed body of sailors in Saldanha Bay, 
where some hundreds of vessels, with their crews, were 
crowded together in that place, removing the guano. He 
has since been highly useful at St. Helena, and is now en- 



APPENDIX. 215 

gaged in raising funds for the erection of places of public 
worship in that island." 

During his stay of about six weeks at the Cape, about one 
hundred and twenty pounds ($600) were contributed to this 
object by the dififerent denominations at Cape Town. 

About the middle of May, he embarked with his family on 
board of the schooner Avon, Captain Webb, for Boston, in 
the United States of America, where he arrived, after a pas- 
sage of fifty-six days, on the 10th of July, simultaneously 
with the lamented decease of the late President of the United 
States, Zachary Taylor. 

He had been kindlj'^ furnished with the following testimo- 
nial from the American Consul, William Carrol, Esq., a 
member of his congregation, but not a communicant, from 
the first ; and from whom, as Mr. Bertram testifies, he had 
continued to receive, even to the last, the most pleasing 
proofs of kindness and regard; to whom, also, not a few of 
the missionaries who have stopped at the island, have bee^ 
m like manner indebted. 

«' St. Helena, Feb. 18, 1850. 
" Rev. Rufus Anderson, Missionary Rooms, Boston. 

" Rev. and very Dear Sir, — This opportunity serves 
for me to introduce to you the Rev. James M'Gregor Ber- 
tram, who has been carrying out the work of the Lord in 
this island for the last five years ; and happy I am to tell 
you that in my belief he has done more real good in that 
time than has been accomplished for the last one hundred 
and fifty years. 

" Mr. Bertram's object in paying your liberal country a 
visit, is, to get his cords strengthened, about which he will 
no doubt communicate with you freely ; and I pray you to 
extend to him the right hand of fellowship, and to give him 
that Christian support and help which, in my conscience, I 
sincerely believe he deserves. 

" To write more on this subject, wouM be to write vol- 



216 APPENDIX. 

umes, -which is unnecessary, as he -R-ill give you a faithful 
account of himself and his operations, and will further ex- 
plain the various obstructions and hinderances he has had to 
contend with in preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ 
in this place. Through your help and influence, I trust he 
will be enabled to return back soon to his work, I there- 
fore recommend him to your Christian sympathies and kind- 
ness, and that of your friends, and remain, 
" Rev. and very dear sir, 

" Yours, most respectfully, 

" W. Carrol." 

Similar testimonials had been furnished him from H. E. 
Rutherford, Esq., a distinguished Christian merchant of 
Cape Town, and one of the truest friends of missions, and of 
all such enterprises, to be found in the Southern hemisphere; 
long known to the American missionaries in that portion of 
the world, as the Financial Agent of the American Board. 

" Cape Town, May 15th, 1850. 
"Rev. Dr. R. Andersojv, 

" Dear Sir, — I take the liberty of sending you a few lines 
at the request of my friend, Mr. James M'Gregor Bertram, 
who has been very useful as a preacher of the gospel at St. 
Helena. We have done what we could to assist him here ; 
but he requires further aid to carry out his intentions, and 
will, I trust, meet with such aid in your noble country. 

" Our respected friend. Dr. Phillip, is in tolerable health 
of body, but grows very feeble. His mental powers, with 
the exception of memory, are still vigorous. 
" I am, Rev. and dear sir, 

" Very respectfully yours, 

"H. E. Rutherford." 

He soon found himself among the friends of the Redeem- 
er, by whom he was sincerely welcomed to America. He 
had the pleasure, also, of finding, at Boston, his friend the 



APPENDIX. 217 

Rev. Jonathan Wade, with whom he had formed so delight- 
ful an acquaintance and fellowship at St. Helena, and who 
now gladly embraced the opportunity of making some re- 
turn to Mr. Bertram for the many kindnesses shown to him 
and his lady on their way from Burmah in 1848. In the 
testimonial and recommendation with which Mr. Wade in- 
troduced him to the American churches, he gave an account 
of what he himself had seen in St. Helena, of the fruit of Mr, 
Bertram's labors, and said, " May the Lord give him that 
favor with the pastors and churches in this land, which he 
and his people have shown to many a poor, worn-out mis- 
sionary, Baptist and Psedo-baptist, who have stopped, stran- 
gers, and otherwise friendless, upon the island." 

He was furnished, also, with a general letter of recom- 
mendation by the pastors of the Baptist churches in Boston 
and vicinity, in which they cordially commended his object, 
and spake in the highest terms of his labors of love at St. 
Helena. Similar letters were kindly given him by the Rev. 
Rufus Anderson, D.D., and the Rev. S. L. Pomeroy, D.D., 
Secretaries of the American Board of Commissioners for For- 
eign Missions ; and by the Board of the American Baptist 
Missionary Union. 

Thus furnished, he entered upon his agency ; and in the 
course of the next ten or eleven months, visited the churches 
of different denominations in and about the city of Boston, 
the principal cities and towns of Massachusetts, New Hamp- 
shire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, being everywhere re- 
ceived with a cordial welcome by Congregationalists as well 
as Baptists, and exciting everywhere a deep interest in be- 
half of the " Lone Isle" of the South Atlantic. He was fa- 
vored, also, with liberal contributions to the cause, not more 
from the Baptist denomination than others. The question 
was hardly asked, " To what sect do you and your chvirch 
belong V It was Christ's work in which he was engaged, 
and as such he was recognized and received by the friends 
of Christ, 

19 



218 APPENDIX. 

It ■would be invidious to particularize the names of dis- 
tinguished pastors, in the various places that he visited, from 
whom he received the most flattering and encouraging let- 
ters of commendation. It will be sufficient to refer to the 
letter of his excellency, George N. Briggs, the Chief Magis- 
trate, at that time, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 
whose kind and Christian attention to the missionary stran- 
ger will never be forgotten. Governor Briggs wrote as fol- 
lows : 

"I have had the pleasure of an introduction to the bearer, 
the Rev. James M'Gregor Bertram, a missionary at St. Hel- 
ena. He is now in this country to solicit pecuniary aid for 
the establishments which, under Providence, he has been 
instrumental in building up on that island. The testimo- 
nials of his character are entirely satisfactory. His posi- 
tion, the success of his labors heretofore, his kindness and 
attention to missionaries from this country, of different de- 
nominations, on their way to and from their stations, give 
him strong claims upon the liberality of American Chris- 
tians. 

" Most cordially I commend him to the friends of faithful 
missionaries, and the lovers of the great cause in which they 
are engaged. 

" Geo. N. Briggs. 

«' PiTTSFiELD, Mass., 2ith Dec, 1850." 

As the summer of 1851 approached, Mr. Bertram found 
it necessary to intermit, on account of his health, which had 
suffered somewhat, the arduous and wearying labors of his 
agency. He also desired greatly to revisit his native land, 
and the scenes of his ycuthful days. Accordingly he took 
passage on one of the Cunard steamers at New York, in the 
month of June, 1851, for Liverpool, whence, after a pleasant 
and speedy voyage, he went up to Dumfries, to see his kin- 
dred according to the flesh, and was of course received as a 
welcome visitor. His companion had preceded him some 



APPENDIX. 219 

Weeks previously. They also visited Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 
and Manchester, in both of which they had formerly resided. 
At Manchester they had the pleasure of receiving a note from 
the High Sheriff of St, Helena, S. Solomon, Esq., a man of 
high standing and great respectability. In this note the 
sheriff says, " All goes on well at the mission house. In- 
deed, you laid the foundation, and, no doubt, all will pros- 
per. Your exertions to promote the welfare, demands public 
thanks. God grant you health and long life to follow up 
your undertaking." 

Five or six weeks having been passed very pleasantly in 
Great Britain, they left their native shores once more, on 
board the New York packet ship " Jacob Westervelt," Cap- 
tain Hoodless, August 20th, 1851, for New York city. Ten 
days out, and not long after they had passed Cape Clear, 
they were overtaken by a terrific gale, which continued to 
pour its fury upon the ship and its eight hundred inmates 
for two days and a night. In this awful storm, the ship 
was so disabled, by the loss of her main and mizen masts, 
and rigging, as to be compelled, after the tempest subsided, 
to put back for repairs to the Cove of Cork, where they short- 
ly after arrived in safety. 

The delay of a fortnight in that harbor, gave Mr, Ber- 
tram an opportunity of forming an acquaintance, not only 
with the " Green Isle," but with many of her worthy sons, 
and of addressing congregations of different denominations 
in the city of Cork, on the St. Helena Mission. On one oc- 
casion, while delivering an address in the meeting-house of 
the Rev. Benjamin Young, a Baptist minister of Cork, the 
house, and windows particularly, received the questionable 
benefit of a shower of stones, but without any corporeal dam- 
age to the ministers or people. 

Embarked again on their westward way, they reached the 
port of New York in safety, under the guidance of their 
Great Protector, and with hearts of devout gratitude, on the 
12th day of November, 1851. Here, too, they received a 



220 APPENDIX. 

cordial welcome, and Mr. Bertram was admitted to the pul- 
pits of nearly all the Presbyterian and Congregational, as 
well as the Baptist churches in New York, Brooklyn, and 
vicinity. Generous contributions of money were received, 
and the amount of donations to the object, which previously 
had reached the sum of f 3000, was swelled to nearly $6000. 
By the good providence of God, Mr. Bertram hopes to re- 
turn, in the course of the summer or autumn, to his lone isl- 
and home, bearing with him, or having sent before him, the 
full amount of funds which he sought to secure for the erec- 
tion of the chapels at Sandy Bay and Rose Bower, and to re- 
deem the chapel at James' Town from the mortgage with 
which it has for years been incumbered. But this is by no 
means the whole of the burden with which he will be freight- 
ed. He bears with him the sympathies, prayers, and lively 
hopes of the thousands of God's people, whom, by God's fa- 
vor, he has interested in his work, of which this humble 
volume is a feeble testimonial. 



THE END 



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"In illustratbg this glorious theme the a-^ithor's 
mind expands in the lull strength and vig'!;3' of i^^ con- 
ceptions, and pictures realities of Divine *j"ith almost 
too brightly to be beheld with the eye of ^o^tii undim- 
med. 

" The present volume (' The Knowledge of Jesus') 
is full of invaluable principles, cast in an attractive 
mould. Every page lives with interest ; there is no 
thing dry, nothing tedious. Its style flows transparent 
and I'ree as the mountain stream." 

[From the Orthodox Presbyterian, Belfast.] 

EDITED BY DR. EDGAR. 

" On matters of church order, it is well known we 
differ from him ; but as a scholar we honor him — as a 
Christian brother we embrace him. In the knowledge 
of the philosophy of the language, he is far in advance 
of the present age ; and with respect to metaphysical 
acuteness and powers of reasoning, he has been called 
'the Jonathan Edwards of the nineteenth century.' 
His character as a philosophic theologian, and a pro- 
found, original, independent thinker, stands in the very 
highest rank ; and he is only justly designated, when 
called one of the most philosophic reasoners of the pres- 
wt age." 

EDWARD H. FLETCHER, Publisher, 

141 Nassau St., N. Y, 



FOSTER ON MISSIONS. 



AN ESSAY ON THE SKEPTICISM OF THE CHURCH. 
BY REV. JOSEPH P. THOMPSON, 

PA8T0B OF THE BBOADWAY TABERNACLE CHUBCH. 

iFrom the New York Evangelist.) 
This essay of Foster's is one of the grandest and most eloquent of all 
his writings, the reproduction of which, in this inviting form, will do 
much good. The missionary work assumes a dignity and importance, 
t3nder the glowing tints of his masterly pencil, which ought to shame 
the languid interest of the church, and which very naturally and appro- 
priately suggests Mr. Thompson's prehminary essay on the skepticism 
of the church. This essay is very well written, and an impressive pres- 
entation of the causes and eiiects of a de&cient faith in the promises of 
God, in respect to the world's conversion. The work is neatly printed, 
and we hope will find many readers. 

(From the Nero York Recorder.') 
TTiis is the substance of a discourse preached by its celebrated author, 
and subsequently prepared by him for the press. It is one of the most 
»ble and comprehensive discussions of the subject of missions that has 
ever been written. It contains that remai'kable fragmentof Foster's, en- 
titled " God Invisible," conceived in the very spirit of the old Hebrew 
prophets. The preliminary Essay, by Rev. J. P. Thompson, adds to the 
value of the original work. 

(From the Baptist Messenger.) 
John Foster on Missions, is all that need be said. To say more, would 
^like an attempt to gild the sun. 

(From the Christian Chronicle.) 
It is one of the grandest productions of its author, exhibiting, in a high 
deeree, the comprehensive grasp of thought, the lofty sweep of imagin- 
ation, and the rugged and massive style which made him for so many 
years the acknowledged Jupiter Tonans among English Dissenters. 

PUBLISHED BY 

EI>1VAKI> IT. FIjETCHEB, 

141 NASSAU STREET HEW YORK. 



EDWAED H. FLETCHEE, 

141 NASSAU-STR T, 

Keeps constantly on hand a complete assortment of RELIGIOUS 
AND MISCELLANEOUS 



©©©[l^ 



which are sold at very low prices. 
Attention is particularly requested to the following list of 

'^aluahk nni 9m|inrtiiHt ^nhlitdiniiB. 

ALEXANDER, J. W.—The Young Men of Cities urged to the k 
work of Mental Improvement. 

CARSON, L. L. D., Alexander, The Life of by Rev. Geo. C. \ 
Moore. " The Jonathan Edwards of the 19th century." \ 

•^ " The Knowledge of Jesus the most excellent of the Sci- \ 
ences. { 

"A charming book, and we could wish it were in every 

Christian family." Lutheran Observer. 

"A book of vigorous thought, worthy of careful study." 

Rel. Herald. 
" Would do honor to any pen that ever wrote." 

Troy Budget. 
** *• The God of Providence. (In press.) 

CONVERSATIONAL COMMENTARY on Matthew, John 
and the Acts. By Wra. Hague, D. D. 

COBBIN, Ingram. The Illustrated Domestic Bible. 

CHEEVERi D. D., Geo. B.—A Plea for Children and the Chria- 
tian Sabbath. 

D0WL1NG-, D. D., John.— A Collection of Hymns for use in con- 
ference and prayer meetings. 



The Old-Fashioned Bible, or ten reasons against the 
proposed Baptist version of the New Testament. 



gj 



COMPRISING, 

THE HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE AS UNFOLDED IN THE 

BOOK OF ESTHER, also, THE GOD OF PROVIDENCE, 

THE GOD OF THE BIBLE, and also, THE TRUTH 

OF THE GOSPEL DEMONSTRATED FROM THE 

CHARACTER OF GOD MANIFESTED 

IN THE ATONEMENT. 

BY ALEXANDER CARSON. 
12mo. cloth, PiiicE, 75 cents. 

" This volume contains an able and highly interesting 
elucidation of the wonderful disclosures of divine Provi- 
dence, narrated in the book of Esther. The facts re- 
corded in that book reveal the unseen hand of the Most 
High, directing the most minute events, as well as those 
esteemed great, to accomplish the hallowed purposes of 
his own will. The work before us draws out and illus- 
trates this consolatory truth."— C/m. Observer." 

"We have already in former numbers of the Memo- 
rial, noticed " the Life of Carson " by Mr. Moore, and 
*' the Knowledge of Jesus," written by Dr. C. We have 
now the third volume in the series, and we hope there 
will be many more, if they are all as good as the one 
before us. It contains a clear, cogent, and incontrovert- 
ible argument in favor of the cardinal doctrine of a spe- 
cial Providence of God. The skeptic maintains that all 
events occur in accordance with the 'general laws of 
nature: but Dr. Carson shows conclusively, that even in 
the general laws of his government, God specially super- 
intends them so that particular events transpire by the 
efficiency of particular agents, and usually in accordance 
■with general laws."— Bap. Memorial. 



Wnx^s in iBntntst: 

OR, 

THE PATH OF WISDOM MADE PLAIN. 

BY REVS. 

WILLIAM W. EVEHTS, J. W. ALEXANDEB. 

WILLIAM HAGUE, G. W. ANDERSOiT. 

G-EORGE B. CHEEVER. 

'* This is a most capital work for young men. It con- 
sists of essays on the social position and influence of cities ; 
the temptations of city life ; young men of cities urged to 
the work of mental employment ; the theatre ; duties of 
employers and employed ; punishment not preventive ; a 
plea for children ; and the Sabbath." — Lutheran Observer. 

*' These discourses have been prepared in view of the 
actual necessities and dangers of the times, and have a di- 
rect application to the condition of thousands. We should 
be glad to see hundreds of copies of this volume in the 
hands of our Church members in this city; for we are per- 
suaded its careful and prayerful perusal would be attended 
with good results on a large scale." — Central Christian 
Herald, Cin 

" On the whole this is one of the most useful as well as 
attractive series of essays which have fallen under our no- 
tice." — Christian News. 



MEMOIR OF ALFRED BENNETT, 

FIRST PASTOR OF THE 

BAPTIST CHURCH, HOMER, NEW YORK. 

AND SENIOR AGENT OF THE 

AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSIONAY UNION. 

BT H. HARVEY. 



[From the Christian Chronicle.'] 

It is a book of most thrilling interest. The engraving 
is true to life, and is worth far more than the cost of the 
volume to the numerous friends of Mr. Bennett. Memoirs 
are generally dry and formal things, but this is a striking 
exception. There is not a page, but it is of most surpass- 
ing interest. Mr. Bennett was indeed a remarkable man — 
great by nature, great by grace, and great in the impres- 
sion made on the world. His experience as he became 
a Christian in early life, is of a most marked nature, 
thoroughly evincing the genuine work of God on the heart. 

Every Christian and friend of missions will be deeply 
interested and greatly profited by reading this book. 



[From the True Union.] 

Those who knew Father Bermett personally, will natu- 
rally desire to learn something more of him. His lively 
and ardent feelings of devotion, his strong common sense, 
his great energy of character, his unbending integrity, his 
fervent zeal, especially in the cause of missions, all com- 
bine to bespeak for the Memoir a diligent and careful pe- 
rusal. To young ministers, and to those who would in any 
way make themselves useful in the church we would com- 
mend this work. Among the motives to purchase a copy 
may be mentioned the fact that a share of the proceeds of 
the sale go to the widow of the venerable subject. 



